Combine Harvesters: Theory, Modeling, and Design

Description

From Basic Fundamentals to Advanced Design Applications

A culmination of the author’s more than 20 years of research efforts, academic papers, and lecture notes, Combine Harvesters: Theory, Modeling, and Design outlines the key concepts of combine harvester process theory and provides you with a complete and thorough understanding of combine harvester processes. Utilizing a wealth of experimental data to promote validated mathematical models, this book presents the latest stochastic and deterministic modeling methods, evolutionary computational techniques, and practical applications.

Highly focused on engineering and mathematics, it incorporates the use of simulation software (including MATLAB^®) throughout the text and introduces a unified approach that can be used for any combine harvester functional structure. The book addresses modeling, simulation, evolutionary optimization, and combine process design. Breadth of coverage includes general technical specifications, developing machine layout as defined by engineering calculations, and design considerations for major subassembly processes.

Comprised of 15 chapters, this text:

• Provides examples of current combine systems/elements design throughout the book
• Incorporates applications/exercises inspired by the author’s engineering and research experience
• Uses both SI (metric) and imperial/U.S. measuring units throughout

Combine Harvesters: Theory, Modeling, and Design contains principles, calculations, and examples that can aid you in combine process modeling and simulation, the development of combine process and driving task-based control systems by considering a top-to-bottom design of combine assembly and components.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Combine Harvesters
   1. Introduction
   2. Technological Requirements for Combine Harvesters
   3. History of Combine Harvester Development
   4. Construction of Modern Combine Harvesters: Specifications and Performance
   5. Equipment for Combine Harvesters
   6. Power Systems of Combine Harvesters
   7. Cab, Information, and Control Center
   8. Combine Harvester Performance
   9. References
   10. Bibliography
2. System Modeling, Simulation, and Control
   1. Introduction
   2. System/Process Modeling
   3. Deterministic Models
   4. Stochastic Models
   5. System Simulation and Optimization
   6. System/Process Control
   7. General Simulation and Control Model of a Combine Harvester
   8. References
   9. Bibliography
3. Crop Harvesting Data and Plant Properties
   1. Introduction
   2. Crop Data
   3. Plant Properties and Behavior Modeling
   4. Plant Grain Properties
   5. Aerodynamic Properties of Plant Grains and MOG
   6. Friction Coefficients of Plant Grains and MOG
   7. References
   8. Bibliography
4. Plant Cutting, Gathering, and Conveying Processes and Equipment
   1. Introduction
   2. Grain Header
   3. Stripper Header
   4. Corn Header
   5. Sunflower Header
   6. References
   7. Bibliography
5. Cereal Threshing and Separating Processes: Threshing Units
   1. Introduction
   2. Construction of Tangential Threshing Units
   3. Construction of Axial Threshing Units
   4. Performance Indices of a Threshing Unit
   5. General Assumptions in Theory, Mathematical Modeling, and Simulation
   6. Modeling of Material Kinematics
   7. Modeling of Grain Threshing and Separating Processes
   8. Modeling of MOG Fragmentation and Separation Processes
   9. Modeling of Threshing Unit Power Requirement
   10. GA-Based Optimization of the Threshing Unit Process and Design (MATLAB Application)
   11. References
   12. Bibliography
6. Separation Process and Operation of Straw Walkers
   1. Introduction
   2. Construction of Straw Walkers
   3. Theory and Modeling of Grain Separation of Straw Walkers
   4. MOG Motion on Straw Walkers
   5. Straw Walker Design Considerations
   6. References
   7. Bibliography
7. Cleaning Unit Process and Operation
   1. Introduction
   2. Construction of Cleaning Units
   3. Modeling of Grain Separation on Cleaning Unit
   4. References
   5. Bibliography
8. Grain Conveying Process and Equipment
   1. Introduction
   2. Auger Elevator
   3. Scraper Elevator
   4. Bucket Elevator
   5. References
   6. Bibliography
9. Crop Residue Chopping and Spreading Processes and Equipment
   1. Introduction
   2. Construction of Choppers and Spreaders
   3. Theory, Modeling, and Design of Crop Residue Chopping Process
   4. Theory, Modeling, and Design of Crop Residue Spreading Process
   5. References
   6. Bibliography
10. Corn Ear Dehusking Process and Equipment
    1. Introduction
    2. Construction and Specifications of Corn Dehusking Units
    3. Dehusking Process Theory
    4. Bibliography
11. Power System of a Combine Harvester
    1. Introduction
    2. Diesel Engine
    3. Construction of Power Train of Combine Harvesters
    4. Modeling of Power Train of Combine Harvesters
    5. References
    6. Bibliography
12. Dynamic Modeling of Material Flow in a Combine Harvester
    1. Introduction to Material Flow Dynamics in a Combine
    2. Material Flow Dynamics Modeling
    3. Ensemble-Averaged Models of Multicomponent Vegetal Material Mixtures
    4. Modeling of Dynamic Grain Flow in a Combine Harvester
    5. References
    6. Bibliography
13. Sensors and Fault Diagnosis Systems for Combine Harvesters
    1. Sensors
    2. Fault Diagnosis Systems for Combine Harvesters
    3. References
    4. Bibliography
14. Cab, Controls, and Human–Machine Interface
    1. Introduction
    2. Specifications of Combine Harvester Cab
    3. Operator–Machine Interface and Controls
    4. Interaction Modeling
    5. References
    6. Bibliography
15. Guidance and Control of Autonomous Combine Harvesters
    1. Precision Harvesting, Geospatial Dispersion, and Variability of Crops
    2. Introduction to GPS, Coordinate Systems, and Latitude and Longitude
    3. Map Projection
    4. Geomagnetic Direction Sensing
    5. Computer Vision
    6. Machine Path Tracking and Control
    7. Framework of an Autonomous Combine Harvester
    8. References
    9. Bibliography
       
16. Appendix

Author Description

Petre Miu is the owner of Projenics, Canada. He worked as a research associate at the Biosystems Engineering Department, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and as a professor at the Politehnica University of Bucharest, Romania. Dr. Miu began his most prolific and prestigious scientific work in Stuttgart, Germany, at Hohenheim University, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, where the German government awarded him two consecutive postdoctoral Alexander von Humboldt research grants. He has extensive experience in the design of harvesting machinery and equipment, and in other areas, including computer numerical control machining centers, robotics, and electronic packaging of radio frequency radar systems.