DescriptionFrom Basic Fundamentals to Advanced Design ApplicationsA 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 bookIncorporates applications/exercises inspired by the author’s engineering and research experienceUses both SI (metric) and imperial/U.S. measuring units throughoutCombine 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 ContentsIntroduction to Combine HarvestersIntroductionTechnological Requirements for Combine HarvestersHistory of Combine Harvester DevelopmentConstruction of Modern Combine Harvesters: Specifications and PerformanceEquipment for Combine HarvestersPower Systems of Combine HarvestersCab, Information, and Control CenterCombine Harvester PerformanceReferencesBibliographySystem Modeling, Simulation, and ControlIntroductionSystem/Process ModelingDeterministic ModelsStochastic ModelsSystem Simulation and OptimizationSystem/Process ControlGeneral Simulation and Control Model of a Combine HarvesterReferencesBibliographyCrop Harvesting Data and Plant PropertiesIntroductionCrop DataPlant Properties and Behavior ModelingPlant Grain PropertiesAerodynamic Properties of Plant Grains and MOGFriction Coefficients of Plant Grains and MOGReferencesBibliographyPlant Cutting, Gathering, and Conveying Processes and EquipmentIntroductionGrain HeaderStripper HeaderCorn HeaderSunflower HeaderReferencesBibliographyCereal Threshing and Separating Processes: Threshing UnitsIntroductionConstruction of Tangential Threshing UnitsConstruction of Axial Threshing UnitsPerformance Indices of a Threshing UnitGeneral Assumptions in Theory, Mathematical Modeling, and SimulationModeling of Material KinematicsModeling of Grain Threshing and Separating ProcessesModeling of MOG Fragmentation and Separation ProcessesModeling of Threshing Unit Power RequirementGA-Based Optimization of the Threshing Unit Process and Design (MATLAB Application)ReferencesBibliographySeparation Process and Operation of Straw WalkersIntroductionConstruction of Straw WalkersTheory and Modeling of Grain Separation of Straw WalkersMOG Motion on Straw WalkersStraw Walker Design ConsiderationsReferencesBibliographyCleaning Unit Process and OperationIntroductionConstruction of Cleaning UnitsModeling of Grain Separation on Cleaning UnitReferencesBibliographyGrain Conveying Process and EquipmentIntroductionAuger ElevatorScraper ElevatorBucket ElevatorReferencesBibliographyCrop Residue Chopping and Spreading Processes and EquipmentIntroductionConstruction of Choppers and SpreadersTheory, Modeling, and Design of Crop Residue Chopping ProcessTheory, Modeling, and Design of Crop Residue Spreading ProcessReferencesBibliographyCorn Ear Dehusking Process and EquipmentIntroductionConstruction and Specifications of Corn Dehusking UnitsDehusking Process TheoryBibliographyPower System of a Combine HarvesterIntroductionDiesel EngineConstruction of Power Train of Combine HarvestersModeling of Power Train of Combine HarvestersReferencesBibliographyDynamic Modeling of Material Flow in a Combine HarvesterIntroduction to Material Flow Dynamics in a CombineMaterial Flow Dynamics ModelingEnsemble-Averaged Models of Multicomponent Vegetal Material MixturesModeling of Dynamic Grain Flow in a Combine HarvesterReferencesBibliographySensors and Fault Diagnosis Systems for Combine HarvestersSensorsFault Diagnosis Systems for Combine HarvestersReferencesBibliographyCab, Controls, and Human–Machine InterfaceIntroductionSpecifications of Combine Harvester CabOperator–Machine Interface and ControlsInteraction ModelingReferencesBibliographyGuidance and Control of Autonomous Combine HarvestersPrecision Harvesting, Geospatial Dispersion, and Variability of CropsIntroduction to GPS, Coordinate Systems, and Latitude and LongitudeMap ProjectionGeomagnetic Direction SensingComputer VisionMachine Path Tracking and ControlFramework of an Autonomous Combine HarvesterReferencesBibliography AppendixAuthor DescriptionPetre 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.