Component analysis of fluid power hydraulics for self-propelled sprayer boom control

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2020-01-01
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Rewerts, Jacob
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Matthew Darr
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Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.

History
In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.

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1905–present

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  • Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)

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Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Abstract

Boom height control is important for field performance when applying chemicals or fertilizer. Booms can be controlled through passive or active control. Active control requires software and components to control the tilt cylinders of the boom. Hydraulic components have a key role in this, but can also be the limiting factor in reducing off-target spray application. The sensitivity of the core hydraulic components for boom height control were evaluated using a virtual machine model of an agricultural sprayer. Significant improvements were identified by changing factors of the hydraulic control system. From the sensitivity analysis, 78 single factor configurations were tested. The field profiles represented light, mild, and severe terrain conditions a sprayer may encounter in the field. Factors such as lag times, tilt cylinder velocities, and tilt cylinder time constants all proved to have statistical significance in positive trends of system performance. Future research on the component analysis of self-propelled sprayers could be testing different control gains or physical testing with different valves, pumps, and cylinders.

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Fri May 01 00:00:00 UTC 2020