Gary W. Krutz

Nondestructive Sugar Content Measurements of Intact Fruit Using Spin-spin Relaxation Time (T2) Measurements by Pulsed 1H Magnetic Resonance

A technique to estimate sugar content of intact fruit using 10 MHz pulsed proton magnetic resonance (IH-MR) was investigated. The values of spin-spin relaxation times (T2) were calculated from the data. A correlation model between T2 values and sugar contents was developed from the principle of chemical exchange between sugar and water protons. The chemical exchange between sugar and water changed the values of T2. The correlation model was verified by experiments on intact fruit. The T2 of intact grapes and sweet cherries were correlated with soluble solids as measured with a refractometer. These results suggest that T2 measurements on intact fruit can be used as a rapid, noninvasive and nondestructive indicator of sugar content.

Combine Feedrate Sensors

ABSTRACT POTENTIAL electronic grain combine feedrate sensors were tested in typical Indiana wheat, soybean and corn crops. Sensors based upon feeder drive motor differential hydraulic pressure and combine engine speed successfully indicated feedrate. Four other attempted sensors were not successful.

MAGNET CONSOLE DESIGN OF AN NMR-BASED SENSOR TO DETECT RIPENESS OF FRUIT

ABSTRACT The use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) principles is a possibility to nondestructively measure sugar (or sucrose) content in fruit. The magnet console for an NMR-based sensor to detect fruit ripeness (or sweetness) was designed through an interactive graphics simulation with a two-dimensional finite element model (FEM). A permanent magnet was used as the magnetic source because of its lower cost. The simulated finite element magnetic fields were verified by comparison with magnetic fields measured in an experimental magnet console. The agreement between predictions and measurements was good with an error of 4.7%. Pole surface plates and shimming frames were used to improve the homogeneity of the magnetic fields around the air gap center where the fruit would be located.system performed reliably at a sustained harvesting rate of approximately 1.4 ha/day (3.4 acre/day), while indicating that a rate of 2 ha/day (5 acre/day) should be easily achievable. The system is operated by two workers and reduces conventional labor requirement by approximately 80-85%.

A displacement sensor for nonmetallic hydraulic cylinders

A sensor was developed to provide signals proportional to the position of the rod in a hydraulic cylinder. The sensor has a coil winding in the shell of the cylinder. The sensor operates by sensing the change in the coil impedance as the rod moves in the cylinder. This paper describes the construction of the cylinder and the sensor, and the performance evaluation of the sensor. Several different materials were placed in the rod and tested. For the cylinder tested, an aluminum core provided the highest precision, about 0.38 /spl Omega/. The full-scale output was 19.90 /spl Omega/ over a stroke length of 193 mm. The linearity was about 1.64% of full-scale. Shielding from electromagnetic interference can improve the precision dramatically. A ferrite-cored rod assembly yielded a much greater full-scale output, 1300 /spl Omega/, but exhibited significant hysteresis.

A Modified Hahn Echo Pulse Sequence for Proton Magnetic Resonance (1H-MR) Measurements of Percent Soluble Solids of Fruits

A fruit ripeness sensor being developed uses proton magnetic resonance to nondestructively determine percent by weight soluble solids in whole fruits. Results were compared to refractometer measurements of soluble solids content. In many fruits, soluble solids is nearly equivalent to percent sugar content, which is in turn related to ripeness. The principle used measures the effect of simple sugars (which constitute the majority of the soluble solids in many fruits) on self diffusion of water. Self diffusion can be measured using the Hahn Echo pulse sequence in the presence of a static magnetic field gradient. A modification of the Hahn Echo pulse sequence is described which solved two practical problems related to the application of the technique to rapid sorting; it increased the speed of the measurement and it greatly reduced the effects of sample size and shape. The improvement was demonstrated using experiments on cylindrical samples cut from apples.

Location of the maize plant with machine vision

An investigation of the feasibility of using machine vision to locate maize plants is reported. This paper presents an approach which was developed to locate the centre of the maize plant using a camera from a top view of plants. The centre of a plant was located by executing sequentially two image processing algorithms. Maize plants were first identified using an algorithm which detected a local feature of maize leaves, namely main veins of the leaf. Detection was based on the difference of reflectance properties between main veins and leaves. The centres of the plants were located using a centre locating algorithm by tracing and extending each detected vein line and evaluating the centre of the plant from intersection points of those lines. Two approaches to locate the height of the maize plant using a camera from top and side views of plants respectively are proposed and discussed briefly.

Corn plant locating by image processing

The feasibility investigation of using machine vision technology to locate corn plants is an important issue for field production automation in the agricultural industry. This paper presents an approach which was developed to locate the center of a corn plant using image processing techniques. Corn plants were first identified using a main vein detection algorithm by detecting a local feature of corn leaves leaf main veins based on the spectral difference between mains and leaves then the center of the plant could be located using a center locating algorithm by tracing and extending each detected vein line and evaluating the center of the plant from intersection points of those lines. The experimental results show the usefulness of the algorithm for machine vision applications related to corn plant identification. Such a technique can be used for pre. cisc spraying of pesticides or biotech chemicals. 1.

Design of Power-Transmitting Hydraulic Hose with Integrated Controller Area Network and Life-Sensing Capability

The goal of this project is to design and test a hydraulic hose and fitting assembly that has the ability to transmit electrical power as well as SAE J1939 CAN bus signal. The intended applications included mobile machinery, automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and process equipment. The benefits of this approach to power and signal transmission included improved robustness and durability, reduction in parts and faster machine assembly times. Multiple conceptual designs have been generated, including sending current through the existing steel reinforcing layers of the hose, or utilizing a dedicated wire or wires that are embedded in the outer rubber layer or are wrapped around the hose and encased with and additional sheath. Each design will be evaluated according to SAE standards J1939, J343, and J1405, which specify testing procedures for the physical ability of the hose and the requirements for CAN Bus signal protocol.

Applications of color machine vision in the agricultural and food industries

Color is an important factor in Agricultural and the Food Industry. Agricultural or prepared food products are often grade by producers and consumers using color parameters. Color is used to estimate maturity, sort produce for defects, but also perform genetic screenings or make an aesthetic judgement. The task of sorting produce following a color scale is very complex, requires special illumination and training. Also, this task cannot be performed for long durations without fatigue and loss of accuracy. This paper describes a machine vision system designed to perform color classification in real-time. Applications for sorting a variety of agricultural products are included: e.g. seeds, meat, baked goods, plant and wood.FIrst the theory of color classification of agricultural and biological materials is introduced. Then, some tools for classifier development are presented. Finally, the implementation of the algorithm on real-time image processing hardware and example applications for industry is described. This paper also presented an image analysis algorithm and a prototype machine vision system which was developed for industry. This system will automatically locate the surface of some plants using digital camera and predict information such as size, potential value and type of this plant. The algorithm developed will be feasible for real-time identification in an industrial environment.

Dynamic analysis of an engine chassis mount bracket using the finite element method

This paper presents an application of the finite element technique to the solution of the dynamic behavior of an engine chassis mount bracket. The method is used for prediction and evaluation of the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the engine chassis mount brackets. The influence of the C-section edges, ribs, bolt holes and boundary constraints on the modes of an engine bracket are analyzed according to the requirements for an engine mount. Some suggestions for improving the dynamic behavior of the engine bracket are presented