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Yield potential was predicted and mapped for three corn fields in Central Illinois, using digital aerial color infrared images. Three methods, namely statistical (regression) modeling, genetic algorithm optimization and artificial neural networks, were used for developing yield models. Two image resolutions of 3 and 6 m/pixel were used for modeling. All the models were trained using July 31 image and tested using images from July 2 and August 31, all from 1998. Among the three models, artificial neural networks gave best performance, with a prediction error less than 30%. The statistical model resulted in prediction errors in the range of 23 to 54%. The lower resolution images resulted in better prediction accuracy compared to resolutions higher than or equal to the yield resolution. Images after pollination resulted in better accuracy compared to images before pollination.

Data obtained when harvesting with a combine equipped with a yield monitor were used to develop yield maps. A prototype yield monitor was developed that uses a combination of light emitters and receivers mounted in a rectangular frame. The monitor was mounted in the combine in the top of the clean grain elevator. As grain flows through the monitor, a voltage change proportional to light reduction was recorded. This voltage was then correlated to grain flow rate. At the same time, site-specific location was recorded using the global positioning satellites (GPS) system. The location data, yield monitor output, cutting width, and combine forward speed were stored in a spreadsheet format. The data were then used to prepare the yield maps.

With COSMOsim, OTSL is looking to better virtually recreate diverse driving conditions to enable safe and accurate verifications at a point when autonomous driving continues to move toward practical use around the world.

Through this work, Wind River and Airbiquity look to enable secure and intelligent software updates and data management for these vehicles through over-the-air (OTA) programming technology. The work may also lead to similar solutions for traditional aerospace and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) industries.

HIGH output per cubic inch of piston displacement is desirable not alone for the purpose of being able to transport more payload faster, but more particularly for the invariably associated byproduct of lower specific fuel consumption, and especially at road-load requirements. The only way of accomplishing this purpose is through the use of higher compression ratios, and the limiting factors for this objective are fuel distribution and the operating temperatures of the component parts. A manifold is proposed which not only definitely improves distribution at both full and road loads, but has the inherent additional advantage of reducing the formation of condensate, thus still further facilitating a reduction in road-load specific fuel consumption. Hydraulic valve lifters, obviation of mechanical and thermal distortion, and controlled water flow are the essentials in improved cooling.

Innovation in oceangoing freight transportation is paying benefits to the general public, the shipper, the consignee, to direct labor, and to associated industries and their labor. Government, too, is sharing in the fruits of innovation. However, ocean transportation, which constitutes the prime investors, has been denied a fair share of the benefits and has, in fact, been exposed to greater risk when the operation is interrupted for any reason.

This SAE standard presents the basic information required for the design and manufacture of a wheel chock.

New technology placed on specific components within the wheel end system, required modifications to existing tapered wheel bearing adjustment procedures. A new method for vehicles, which use tapered roller bearings, required a procedure addressing new technologies for the wheel end system. OEM and service technicians would benefit from concise procedures. Technologies engineered and developed for ABS (Anti-skid Brake Systems), extended brake blocks and synthetic lubricants, required research for the data base. Research to optimize the operating environment through improved maintenance procedures helped in achieving optimum wheel system operation. A tapered wheel bearing adjustment procedure and visual chart are the results profiting the vehicle manufacturers and field service technicians.

The environmental impact from herbicide utilization has been well documented in recent years. The reduction in weed control with out a viable alternative will likely result in decreased per acre production and thus higher unit production cost. The potential for selective herbicide application to reduce herbicide usage and yet maintain adequate weed control has generated significant interest in different forms of remote sensing of agricultural crops. This research evaluated the color co-occurrence texture analysis technique to determine its potential for utilization in crop groundcover identification. A program termed GCVIS (Ground Cover VISion) was developed to control an ATT TARGA 24 frame grabber; and generate HSI color features from the RGB format pixel data, HSI CCM matrices and the co-occurrence texture feature data.

Axial piston type pumps are often exposed to severe operating conditions because of the duty cycle, the environment, or, in some situations, poor maintenance and even abuse. The detrimental effects on the pump and the hydraulic system as a result of these adverse conditions are often not known or predictable. In this study, four controlled severe operating conditions were imposed on four identical axial piston type pumps. They included 1) constant high load pressure and normal fluid temperature, 2) constant high load pressure and elevated fluid temperature, 3) cyclic load pressure and normal fluid temperature, and 4) cyclic load pressure and elevated fluid temperature. The tests were long-term; they were run continuously for up to 5000 hours. The pump wear was monitored in all cases using ferrography. In addition, the condition of the fluid was monitored and the circuit filters were examined periodically. The results of the findings are presented in this paper.

After a review of current and future emission legislation for non-road engines (India, Europe, USA), the various options available to reduce the emissions of diesel tractor engines are discussed. Special emphasis is put on naturally aspirated engines in the 37 - 50 kW power range. AVL has recently designed and developed several naturally aspirated heavy-duty diesel tractor engines to comply with current exhaust emissions standards for the Indian domestic and the US markets (EPA Tier 2). In doing so, different levels of technologies were applied. Their impact on mean effective pressure, specific fuel consumption and emissions will be shown. The future non-road engine exhaust emissions legislation in different markets will be addressed (India, Europe and USA). Compliance with the new emission standards will require the introduction of more advanced technology.

The China Automotive Technology and Research Center Co., Ltd. (CATARC), TÜV SÜD Group, and Shanghai SH Intelligent Automotive and International Transportation Innovation Center (ITIC) have joined with SAE International to establish the International Alliance for Mobility Testing and Standardization (IAMTS).

Computer algorithms were developed for generating the guidance parameters necessary to steer an agricultural tractor. A variety of field operations were considered in order that the guidance program be suited for general applications including travel in curved rows and following a single edge. Testing of the guidance algorithm was performed in the laboratory using simulated and videotaped images of rowcrops and tilled soil. From the images, yaw angle change of the tractor, direction value and offset error were computed. Prediction of the direction value and offset error compared well to measured values. Accuracy of the direction value was within +/- 0.5 degrees while the offset error was within +/- 0.05 meters. Good performance was observed for straight and curved rows as well as following a single edge.

The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM), a non-profit consortium based in Prince George County, Virginia, uses a 3D visualization lab to expand beyond the walls of its 62,000-square-foot brick and mortar facility and deliver a collaborative development for researchers in industry, academia, and government.

The existing instrumentation of a soil bin was retrofitted with virtual instrumentation techniques to achieve improved repeatability and more precise measurements. Current-loop sensors were added to the prime mover for improved speed control. Soil preparation operations were instrumented to determine penetrometer forces as a function of soil penetration depth, soil surface smoothness, compaction force, and soil surface elevation. Test hitch-points for agricultural implements were instrumented with wheatstone bridge force transducers. Implement depth was found with ratiometric linear transducers. Distance and speed determinations utilized an optical encoder with a resolution of 3.0 × 10-4 m. Temperature measurements were also recorded with solid state current transducers.

This paper outlines the design philosophy and evaluation of the new “H” series variable displacement, medium pressure, open-circuit, axial piston hydraulic pumps. The “H” series is based on previously existing, technically successful, rotating group designs, but has significant design improvements affecting the areas of: Unit Weight Envelope Size Ease of Assembly, Disassembly, Repairability and Modification Alternate Fluid Capabilities The “H” series is a family of naturally aspirated pumps nominally rated at 250 or 275 bar (3625 or 4000 psig), depending on system operating parameters. The geometric displacements of the four units in the series are as follows: 57cc (3.5 cu. in./rev.) 74cc (4.5 cu. in./rev.) 98cc (6.0 cu. in./rev.) 131cc (8.0 cu. in./rev.)

Vermeer concept targets autonomous baling

Three-dimensional models of real world terrain have application in a variety of tasks, but digitizing a large environment poses constraints on the design of a 3D scanning system. We have developed a Mobile Scanning System that works within these constraints to quickly digitize large-scale real world environments. We utilize a mobile platform to move our sensors past the scene to be digitized - fusing the data from cm-level accuracy laser range scanners, positioning and orientation instruments, and high-resolution video cameras - to provide the mobility and speed required to quickly and accurately model the target scene.

The commercial operation of the bullet train in 1964 in Japan marked the beginning of a new era for high-speed railways. Because of the huge amount of kinetic energy carried at high speeds, a train may interact significantly with the bridge and even resonate with it under certain circumstances. This book is unique in that it is devoted entirely to the interaction between the supporting bridges and moving trains, the so-called vehicle-bridge interaction (VBI). It provides an up-to-date coverage of research conducted on various aspects of the VBI problems. Using the series of VBI elements derived, the authors study a number of frontier problems, including the impact response of bridges with elastic bearings, the dynamic response of curved beam to moving centrifugal forces, the stability and derailment of trains moving over bridges shaken by earthquakes, the impact response of two trains crossing on a bridge, the steady-state response of trains moving over elevated bridges, and so on.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Comprehensive TS&W Study addressed the safety impacts of potential changes to TS&W limits from two perspectives: (1) the assessment of crash information and exposure data (vehicle miles traveled), and (2) the evaluation of stability and control performance of several truck configurations in terms of static roll stability, rearward amplification, and load transfer ratio. This paper addresses the analytical approach used to evaluate safety impacts from the latter perspective. The vehicle performance measures were estimated using simulation models. Several vehicle parameters were varied in a large parametric analysis for use in the study.