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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Cotton Production and Processing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #122144
Title: ANALYSIS OF A TOMATO YIELD MONITOR

Author
item ROSA, U - UNIV OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS
item UPADHYAYA, S - UNIV OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS
item JOSIAH, M - UNIV OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS
item KOLLER, M - UNIV OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS
item MATTSON, M - UNIV OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS
item Pelletier, Mathew

Submitted to: ASAE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/1999
Publication Date: 2/5/2000
Citation: Rosa, U.A., Upadhyaya, S.K., Josiah, M., Koller, M., Mattson, M., Pelletier, M.G. Analysis of a tomato yield monitor. Transactions of the ASAE. 2000. v. 43(6). p. 1331-1339.

Interpretive Summary: This study develops a mathematical model for representing the response of a continuous weighing system to a moving mechanical load, provides experimental verification to the model, and provides a detailed simulation study that determines the optimum design parameters of a mass flow type yield monitor to achieve the desired accuracy, frequency response, and spatial resolution.

Technical Abstract: A continuous mass flow type tomato yield monitor was analyzed to determine its frequency response characteristics and to get some insight into the design requirements. A continuous beam theory was employed to model a taut conveyor. The impulse response of this device was evaluated and verified experimentally. The analysis clearly showed the effect of misalignment of idler rollers with respect to the weigh roller on the load cell readings and a method of overcoming this problem. Moreover, it also showed the effect on weigh span length in relation to the adjacent span lengths on the accuracy of the system. The model identified design parameters critical to the development of a continuous mass flow type yield monitor that has desired frequency response and spatial resolution.