Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present disclosure generally relates to rotavators attached to agricultural vehicles and more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a generator assembly integrated with the rotavator for generating electric power from a rotational movement of a rotor shaft of the rotavator during its operation.

BACKGROUND
[002] A rotavator, also known as a rotary tiller, is a tractor-driven rotor tillage equipment that uses a series of blades to plow the land by cutting, pulverizing, mixing, and levelling the soil. The rotavator is mainly used for secondary tillage activities and in some instances for primary tillage activities. A conventional rotavator includes a rotor blade, a rotor shaft, flanges, hitch pyramids, a skid, an adjusting rack, trailing boards, an independent top mast, and a single-speed or multi-speed gearbox.
[003] The rotavator is an active implement in which the power is transferred to the rotavator from the tractor via a power take-off (PTO) drive of the tractor. The transmission of power from the PTO drive to the input rotavator shaft (rotor shaft) is done via the independent top mast of the rotavator. Depending on the power used, the rotavator is classified as engine-operated or tractor drawn.
[004] The power-driven rotor shaft is used to cut the soil and weeds or trash via the blades that are attached to the rotor shaft via the flanges. These blades are generally L-shaped to maximize efficiency and for optimum removal of weeds. Since the rotor shaft turns at a rate that is faster than the corresponding tractor speed, soil pulverization is achieved through the rotavator.
[005] Rotavators are widely used in agricultural operations because of their high capacity in carrying out tillage activities such as cutting and mixing topsoil, preparing seedbeds, and removal of weeds. Additionally, the rotavator has a mixing capacity that is seven times more than a plough, therefore making its application in agricultural activities more desirable for achieving efficiency and reducing consumption of time. The rotavator directs the energy drawn from the tractor to the soil to cause the desired effect of cutting, breaking, inversion, or movement of soil for carrying out tillage activities. While tillage is a major operation for seedbed preparation and one of the largest material handling operations, it is also one of the major activities in agriculture which has high energy consumption and high costs of operation. The energy input in tillage activities is second to the level of energy input in irrigation. Thus, increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the rotavator and lowering the power consumption of the rotavator becomes crucial.
[006] Since the speed and the power of the rotavator is dependent of the tractor or agricultural vehicle to which it is coupled, the efficiency of the rotavator can be increased by increasing the efficiency of the tractor or vehicle and optimizing the transmission of power from the tractor to the rotavator. However, such improvements involve huge research and development costs and process time. Also, such improvements may lead to only a marginal increase in the efficiency of the operation of the rotavator and a marginal decrease in power consumption.
[007] Another approach to increase the efficiency and reduce the power consumption of the rotavator is to optimize the design of the rotavator. This approach too has certain shortcomings such as the costs involved in research and development, optimizing the manufacturing process, and ensuring compatibility with the agricultural vehicle to which the rotavator is being attached.
[008] Since there are limitations on the level of improvement in the efficiency of the tractor and design optimization of the rotavator, there is a requirement for an alternative approach that enhances the range of an electric agricultural vehicle, and improves the fuel economy of an internal combustion engine agricultural vehicle during tillage activities carried out by the rotavator.
OBJECTS
[009] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a generator assembly integrated with a rotavator attached to an agricultural vehicle, wherein the generator assembly is configured to generate electricity during the operation of the rotavator.
[010] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the generator assembly integrated with the rotavator which includes a stator sub-assembly comprising a stationary rod with its ends fixed to a frame of the rotavator and a plurality of stator coils wound on the stationary rod, and a rotor sub-assembly comprising a plurality of magnets fixed inside a hollow tube and coupled with the stator coils, wherein the generator assembly is inserted inside a hollow space of a rotor shaft of the rotavator.
[011] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the generator assembly which can be retrofitted to existing rotavators.
[012] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the generator assembly which can be utilized for instant charging a main battery of an electric agricultural vehicle thereby extending range of the electric agricultural vehicle.
[013] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the generator assembly which can supply electric current to additional vehicle loads and/or charging the battery wired/wireless charging system.
[014] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the generator assembly in the rotavator which enhances fuel economy of an internal combustion engine agricultural vehicle in which an alternator can be replaced/disconnected during rotavator application.
[015] Yet another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the generator assembly integrated with the rotavator in which the rotor sub-assembly is coupled with the rotor shaft of the rotavator such that a rotational movement of the rotor shaft during operation of the rotavator causes rotational movement of the rotor sub-assembly, thereby inducing a voltage in the stator coils.
[016] Still another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the generator assembly which can be easily removed and re-inserted into a hollow rotor shaft of the rotavator.
[017] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a generator assembly integrated with the rotavator, wherein the plurality of magnets of the rotatory sub-assembly are fixed inside the hollow space of the rotor shaft of the rotavator.
[018] Yet another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the generator assembly integrated with the rotavator which is configured to supply the voltage generated in the generator assembly to charge a battery of the vehicle.
[019] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[020] The embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a generator assembly integrated within a rotor shaft of a rotavator, according to first embodiments as disclosed herein;
[022] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the generator assembly inserted in the rotor shaft of the rotavator, according to first embodiments as disclosed herein;
[023] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a stator sub-assembly of the generator assembly comprising a stationary rod and a plurality of stator coils wound on the stationary rod, according to first embodiments as disclosed herein;
[024] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a rotor sub-assembly of the generator assembly comprising a hollow tube and a plurality of magnets inserted within the hollow tube, according to first embodiments as disclosed herein;
[025] Figure 5 is an exploded view of a generator assembly integrated with the rotor shaft of the rotavator, according to second embodiments as disclosed herein;
[026] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a stator sub-assembly of the generator assembly comprising a stationary rod and a plurality of stator coils wound on the stationary rod, according to second embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[027] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a rotor sub-assembly of the generator assembly, comprising a plurality of magnets are inserted within the rotor shaft of the rotavator, according to second embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[028] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[029] The embodiments herein achieve a generator assembly integrated with a rotavator which is configured to generate electricity during the operation of the rotavator. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the generator assembly integrated with the rotavator which includes a stator sub-assembly comprising a stationary rod having its ends fixed to a frame of the rotavator and a plurality of stator coils wound on the stationary rod, and a rotor sub-assembly comprising a plurality of magnets fixed inside a hollow tube with respect to the position of the stator coils, wherein the generator assembly is adapted to be inserted inside a hollow space of a rotor shaft of the rotavator. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve the generator assembly integrated with the rotavator in which the rotor sub-assembly is coupled with the rotor shaft of the rotavator such that a rotational movement of the rotor shaft during operation of the rotavator causes rotational movement of the rotor sub-assembly, thereby inducing a voltage in the stator coils.
[030] The embodiments also achieve the generator assembly which can be easily removed and re-inserted into the hollow rotor shaft of the rotavator. Additionally, the embodiments herein achieve the generator assembly integrated with the rotavator, wherein the plurality of magnets of the rotor sub-assembly are fixed inside the hollow space of the rotor shaft of the rotavator. The embodiments herein achieve the generator assembly integrated with the rotavator which is configured to supply the voltage generated in the generator assembly to charge a battery of the vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 7, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[031] The rotavator (100) includes a hollow rotor shaft (101) (as shown in fig. 1) and a plurality of blades (103) attached to flanges (102) provided on the hollow rotor shaft (101). The rotavator draws power through the power take-off drive of an agricultural vehicle such as a tractor to which the rotavator (100) is attached. The hollow rotor shaft (101) of the rotavator (100) is rotated to rotate the blades (103) for carrying out the tillage activities.
[032] Figure 1 depicts a generator assembly (200) integrated with a rotavator (100), according to first embodiments as disclosed herein. In the first embodiment, the generator assembly (200) comprises a stator sub-assembly (200A) (as shown in fig. 3) and a rotor sub-assembly (200B) (as shown in fig. 4), integrated within a hollow space of the rotor shaft (101) of the rotavator (100). The stator sub-assembly (200A), as depicted in Fig. 3, includes a stationary rod (201), wherein each end (201a, 201b) of the stationary rod (201) is fixed to a frame (104) of the rotavator (100) such that the stationary rod (201) remains stationary during the rotation of the rotor shaft (101). The stator sub-assembly (200A) further includes a plurality of stator coils (202) (as shown in fig. 1 to fig. 3) comprising a conducting material wire, wound around the stationary rod (201) and positioned at predetermined intervals on the stationary rod (201). The stator coils (202) are connected serially and an end of a wire (W) of the stator coils (202) is extended outwards from any one of the ends (201a, 201b) of the stationary rod (201). In an embodiment, the number of stator coils (202) is at least 12. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any number of stator coils (202) as per the requirement.
[033] The rotor sub-assembly (200B), according to the first embodiment, as shown in Fig.4, comprises a plurality of magnets (204) and a hollow tube (203). The plurality of magnets (204) are fixed at an inner side of the hollow tube (203) with respect to the position of stator coils (202). The hollow tube (203) is adapted to be inserted within the hollow space of the rotor shaft (101) and coupled with the rotor shaft (101) such that the hollow tube (203) rotates when the rotor shaft (101) rotates during operation of the rotavator (100).
[034] In an embodiment, the hollow tube (203) includes a pair of side flanges (203S) (as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 4) attached to each end of the hollow tube (203). The hollow tube (203) is coupled with the rotor shaft (101) by coupling corresponding side flange (203S) with the corresponding rotor shaft flange (102) of the rotor shaft (101). In an embodiment, as shown in Fig.2, the hollow tube (203) comprises an upper half tube (203U) and a lower half tube (203L). The magnets (204) are fixed at inner portion of the upper half tube (203U) and the lower half tube (203L) of the hollow tube (203). For example, an upper half part (204U) (as shown in fig. 4) and a lower half part (204L) (as shown in fig. 2) of each magnet (204) is connected with the upper half tube (203U) and lower half tube (203L) respectively thereby forming a whole magnet (204) surrounding the corresponding stator coil (202). Similarly, the side flanges (203S) are fixed to the upper half tube (203U) and the lower half (203L) of the hollow tube (203) such that the upper half tube (203U) and lower half tube (203L) of the hollow tube (203) are joined with an upper half side flange (203SU) and a lower half side flange (203SL) (as shown in fig. 2) of the side flange (203S) respectively thereby forming a whole side flange (203S).
[035] In an embodiment, the hollow tube (203) with the magnets (204) is inserted into the rotor shaft (101) and then the stationary rod (201) along with the stator coils (202) is inserted within the hollow tube (203) such that the stator coils (202) are aligned with respect to the position of the corresponding magnets (204). In an embodiment, the upper half tube (203U) and the lower half tube (203L) of the hollow tube (203) are inserted in the hollow space of the rotor shaft (101) and then the upper half side flange (203SU) and the lower half side flange (203SL) are connected with the corresponding rotor shaft flange (102) of the rotor shaft (101). The generator assembly (200) is adapted to be removed and re-inserted as per the user’s requirement. In an embodiment, the hollow tube (203) is attached to the rotor shaft (101) by bolting (fastening) the corresponding side flange (203) with the corresponding rotor shaft flange (102) of the rotor shaft (101). In another embodiment, the hollow tube (203) is attached to the rotor shaft (101) by welding the corresponding side flange (203S) with the corresponding rotor shaft flange (102) of the rotor shaft (101).
[036] When the rotavator (100) is operational, the rotor shaft (101) is rotated to rotate the blades (103) attached to the rotor shaft (101) through the flanges (102). When the rotor shaft (101) rotates, the hollow tube (203) rotates, rotating the magnets (204) fixed inside the hollow tube (203). The rotation of the magnets (204) induces a voltage across the stator coils (202) due to electromagnetic induction. This generated voltage is then utilized to power components of the agriculture vehicle such as the battery and additional loads.
[037] In an embodiment, the agricultural vehicle is an electric vehicle, the wire (W) from the stator coils (202) is connected with a battery of the agricultural vehicle via an intermediary unit comprising an ac-dc converter, a regulator, and any one of a wireless and wired charging system, for charging the battery with the voltage generated in the generator assembly (200).
[038] In another embodiment, the agricultural vehicle is an internal combustion engine vehicle, the wire (W) from the stator coils (202) is connected via the intermediary unit at a predetermined position in the vehicle to supply the generated voltage to additional loads such as lamps, horn/ buzzer, actuators and other electrical/ electronic devices of the vehicle and for charging the battery through any one of the wired and wireless charging systems.
[039] In a second embodiment, as depicted in Fig. 5, the generator assembly (300) integrated with the rotavator (100) includes a stator sub-assembly (300A) (as shown in Fig.6) comprising a stationary rod (301) and a plurality of stator coils (302) serially wound around the stationary rod (301) at predetermined intervals, and a rotor sub-assembly (300B) comprising a plurality of magnets (303) attached at an inner side of the rotor shaft (101) in the hollow space of the rotor shaft (101). In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the plurality of magnets (303) are attached at the inner side of the rotor shaft (101) during the fabrication of the rotor shaft (101).
[040] The stationary rod (301) with the plurality of stator coils (302) is inserted into the hollow space of the rotor shaft (101) such that each of the stator coils (302) is aligned with the position of corresponding magnet (303) of the rotor sub-assembly (300B). Further, each end (301a, 301b) of the stationary rod (301) is fixed with the frame (104) of the rotavator (100), therefore preventing the movement of the stationary rod (301) during the rotation of the rotor shaft (101). The wire (W) of the stator coils (302) is extended towards any one of the ends (301a, 301b) of the stationary rod (301). When the rotavator (100) is operated, the rotor shaft (101) rotates, rotating the magnets (303) attached to the rotor shaft (101). The rotation of the magnets (303) induces a voltage in the stator coils (302) which is then used to power the components of the vehicle such as the battery and additional loads via the wire (W) extending outwards from the end (301a/ 301b) of the stationary rod (301).
[041] The technical advantages achieved by the embodiments are disclosed hereinafter. The generator assembly integrated with the rotavator utilizes the mechanical movement of the rotor shaft to generate electricity which is then used to charge the battery or the additional loads of the agricultural vehicle. Harnessing electricity from the mechanical movement of the rotavator enhances the range of the electric agricultural vehicle, and improves the fuel economy of the internal combustion engine agricultural vehicle in which an alternator can be replaced/disconnected during rotavator application. Further, housing the magnets of the rotor sub-assembly within the hollow shaft or the rotor shaft protects the magnets from corrosion and the effect of external environmental factors, thereby extending the life of the generator assembly. Since the generator assembly is integrated within the hollow space of the rotor shaft, it does not take up installation space on the rotavator or the agricultural vehicle, thereby making it compact. Also, the generator assembly, according to an embodiment is easily removable and re-insertable into the rotor shaft, therefore facilitating ease of maintenance and replacement. Other advantages include ease of assembling, low cost of components, and simple configuration of the generator assembly. The generator assembly which can be retrofitted to existing rotavators.
[042] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein
, C , Claims:We claim,
1. A generator assembly (200) integrated with a rotavator (100), the generator assembly (200) comprising:
a rotor sub-assembly (200B), wherein the rotor sub-assembly (200B) comprises,
a hollow tube (203) adapted to be inserted inside a hollow space of a rotor shaft (101) of the rotavator (100) and coupled with the rotor shaft (101) to rotate on a rotation of the rotor shaft (101); and
a plurality of magnets (204) attached at an inner side of the hollow tube (203) at predetermined intervals along a length of the hollow tube (203); and
a stator sub-assembly (200A), wherein the stator sub-assembly (200A) comprises,
a stationary rod (201) adapted to be inserted into the hollow tube (203), wherein each end (201a, 201b) of the stationary rod (201) is attached to a frame (104) of the rotavator (100) such that the stationary rod (201) remains stationary on the rotation of the rotor shaft (101); and
a plurality of stator coils (202) wound serially on the stationary rod (201) across a length of the stationary rod (201) and positioned at predetermined intervals on the stationary rod (201), such that the plurality of stator coils (202) are aligned with respect to the position of the plurality of magnets (204), on insertion of the stationary rod (201) into the hollow tube (203),
wherein the generator assembly (200) is configured to generate electricity on the operation of the rotavator (100) by inducing a voltage across the plurality of stator coils (202) on the rotation of the rotor sub-assembly (200B) due to the rotation of the rotor shaft (101) during operation of the rotavator (100).

2. The generator assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stator sub-assembly (200A) comprises a wire (W) extending from the serially connected plurality of stator coils (202) to any one of the ends (201a, 201b) of the stationary rod (201), wherein the wire (W) supplies the voltage induced in the plurality of stator coils (202) to an agricultural vehicle to which the rotavator (100) is attached thereto.

3. The generator assembly (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the voltage induced in the plurality of stator coils (202) is transmitted through the wire (W) to an intermediary unit comprising an ac to dc converter, a regulator, and any one of a wireless and wired charging system, to charge a battery of the agricultural vehicle.

4. The generator assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow tube (203) comprises a pair of side flanges (203S) attached to ends of the hollow tube (203), wherein the hollow tube (203) is coupled with the rotor shaft (101) by joining corresponding side flange (203S) with corresponding rotor shaft flange (102) of the rotor shaft (101).

5. The generator assembly (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hollow tube (203) is coupled with the rotor shaft (101) by any one of bolting and welding the corresponding side flange (203S) of the hollow tube (203) with the corresponding rotor shaft flange (102) of the rotor shaft (101).

6. The generator assembly (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hollow tube (203) comprises an upper half tube (203U) and a lower half tube (203L), wherein said upper half tube (203U) and lower half tube (203L) adapted to be joined to form a whole hollow tube (203) after insertion into the rotor shaft (101).

7. The generator assembly (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein each magnet (204) comprises,
an upper half part attached to the upper half tube (203U) of the hollow tube (203); and
a lower half part attached to the lower half tube (203L) of the hollow tube (203),
wherein the upper half part and the lower half part of each magnet (204) are joined to form a whole magnet surrounding the corresponding stator coil (202) on joining of the upper half tube (203U) and lower half tube (203L) of the hollow tube (203).

8. The generator assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generator assembly (200) is adapted to be removed and re-inserted into the rotor shaft (101).

9. A generator assembly (300) integrated with a rotavator (100), the generator assembly (300) comprising:
a rotor sub-assembly (300B) comprising a plurality of magnets (303) attached at an inner side in a hollow space of a rotor shaft (101) of the rotavator (100), wherein the plurality of magnets (303) are positioned at predetermined intervals along a length of the rotor shaft (101); and
a stator sub-assembly (300A) comprising:
a stationary rod (301) adapted to be inserted into the rotor shaft (101), wherein each end (301a, 301b) of the stationary rod (301) is attached to a frame (104) of the rotavator (100) such that the stationary rod (301) remains stationary on a rotation of the rotor shaft (101); and
a plurality of stator coils (302) wound serially on the stationary rod (301) across a length of the stationary rod (301) and positioned at predetermined intervals on the stationary rod (301), such that the plurality of stator coils (302) are aligned with respect to the position of the plurality of magnets (303) on insertion of the stationary rod (301) into the rotor shaft (101),
wherein
the generator assembly (300) is configured to generate electricity on the operation of the rotavator (100) by inducing a voltage across the plurality of stator coils (302) on the rotation of the plurality of magnets (303) due to the rotation of the rotor shaft (101) during operation of the rotavator (100).

10. The generator assembly (300) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the stator sub-assembly (300A) comprises a wire extending (W) from the serially connected plurality of stator coils (302) to any one of the ends (301a, 301b) of the stationary rod (301), wherein the wire (W) supplies the voltage induced in the plurality of stator coils (302) to an agricultural vehicle to which the rotavator (100) is attached to.

11. The generator assembly (300), as claimed in claim 10, wherein the voltage induced in the plurality of stator coils (302) is transmitted through the wire (W) to an intermediary unit comprising an ac to dc converter, a regulator, and any one of a wireless and wired charging system, to charge a battery of the agricultural vehicle.