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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

A Deep-Learning Framework For Spray Pattern Segmentation And Estimation In Agricultural Spraying Systems, Praneel Acharya, Travis Burgers, Kim-Doang Nguyen May 2023

A Deep-Learning Framework For Spray Pattern Segmentation And Estimation In Agricultural Spraying Systems, Praneel Acharya, Travis Burgers, Kim-Doang Nguyen

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

This work focuses on leveraging deep learning for agricultural applications, especially for spray pattern segmentation and spray cone angle estimation. These two characteristics are important to understanding the sprayer system such as nozzles used in agriculture. The core of this work includes three deep-learning convolution-based models. These models are trained and their performances are compared. After the best model is selected based on its performance, it is used for spray region segmentation and spray cone angle estimation. The output from the selected model provides a binary image representing the spray region. This binary image is further processed using image processing …


Ai-Enabled Droplet Detection And Tracking For Agricultural Spraying Systems, Praneel Acharya, Travis A. Burgers, Doang Nguyen Nov 2022

Ai-Enabled Droplet Detection And Tracking For Agricultural Spraying Systems, Praneel Acharya, Travis A. Burgers, Doang Nguyen

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

his work leverages recent advancements in com- puter vision and deep learning to detect and track the motion of droplets captured by a camera. While classical computer vision techniques have been employed for detection and tracking, those approaches have limitations and are not trivially extended to droplets. We approach the problems of droplet detection and tracking through a data-driven framework, in which an annotated database of droplet images is built and object detection and tracking models are trained on this database. The accuracy of the model is evaluated and the whole process is discussed. At this point, droplet geometric properties …


Vision And Radar Steering Reduces Agricultural Sprayer Operator Stress Without Compromising Steering Performance, Travis A. Burgers, Kelly J. Vanderwerff Jan 2022

Vision And Radar Steering Reduces Agricultural Sprayer Operator Stress Without Compromising Steering Performance, Travis A. Burgers, Kelly J. Vanderwerff

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Self-propelled agricultural sprayer operators work an average of 15 h d-1 in peak season, and steering is the task that causes the operator the most stress because of the large number of stimuli involved. Automatic guidance systems help reduce stress and fatigue for operators by allowing them to focus on tasks other than steering. Physiological signals like skin conductance (electrodermal activity, EDA) change with stress and can be used to identify stressful events. The objective of this study was to determine if using a commercially available vision and radar guidance system (VSN®, Raven Industries) reduces agricultural sprayer operators’ stress …


Comparison Of Three Commercial Automatic Boom Height Systems For Agricultural Sprayers, Travis A. Burgers, John D. Gaard, Brian J. Hyronimus Apr 2021

Comparison Of Three Commercial Automatic Boom Height Systems For Agricultural Sprayers, Travis A. Burgers, John D. Gaard, Brian J. Hyronimus

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Automatic boom height systems reduce the variability of agricultural sprayer boom height. Consistent boom height is important for three key reasons: to reduce uneven spray dispersion if the boom is too low, to reduce spray droplet drift if the boom is too high, and to reduce damage to the boom or crop if the boom is too low. No data is available comparing commercial boom height systems. Three leading North American automatic boom height systems were compared: John Deere BoomTrac Pro (System A), Raven AutoBoom® XRT (System B), and Norac UC5TM Passive Roll (System C) on a John Deere R4045 …


Biomechanical Evaluation Of Fracture Fixation Constructs Using A Variable-Angle Locked Periprosthetic Femur Plate System, Martin F. Hoffmann, Travis A. Burgers, James J. Mason, Bart O. Williams, Debra L. Sietsema Jul 2014

Biomechanical Evaluation Of Fracture Fixation Constructs Using A Variable-Angle Locked Periprosthetic Femur Plate System, Martin F. Hoffmann, Travis A. Burgers, James J. Mason, Bart O. Williams, Debra L. Sietsema

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Background
In the United States there are more than 230,000 total hip replacements annually, and periprosthetic femoral fractures occur in 0.1–4.5% of those patients. The majority of these fractures occur at the tip of the stem (Vancouver type B1). The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanically stability and strength of three fixation constructs and identify the most desirable construct.
Methods
Fifteen medium adult synthetic femurs were implanted with a hip prosthesis and were osteotomized in an oblique plane at the level of the implant tip to simulate a Vancouver type B1 periprosthetic fracture. Fractures were fixed with …


Time Dependent Fixation And Implantation Forces For A Femoral Knee Component: An In Vitro Study, Travis A. Burgers, Jim Mason, Matthew Squire, Heidi-Lynn Ploeg Nov 2010

Time Dependent Fixation And Implantation Forces For A Femoral Knee Component: An In Vitro Study, Travis A. Burgers, Jim Mason, Matthew Squire, Heidi-Lynn Ploeg

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Implant survival rate is a primary concern for individuals receiving a primary total knee arthroplasty. Loosening is the primary reason for revision surgery and was therefore the focus of the current study. To better understand the mechanics of implant fixation, the time-dependent fixation of a femoral knee component was measured in vitro on three cadaveric femurs. The fixation of each femoral knee component was measured with strain gauged implants for at least 10 minutes on each femoral component. Additionally, impaction forces were measured during the implantation of each component. These forces were 2–6 times less than previously reported. The implantation …


Post-Yield Relaxation Behavior Of Bovine Cancellous Bone, Travis A. Burgers, Roderic S. Lakes, Sylvana Garcia-Rodriguez, Geoffrey R. Piller, Heidi-Lynn Ploeg Sep 2009

Post-Yield Relaxation Behavior Of Bovine Cancellous Bone, Travis A. Burgers, Roderic S. Lakes, Sylvana Garcia-Rodriguez, Geoffrey R. Piller, Heidi-Lynn Ploeg

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Relaxation studies were conducted on specimens of bovine cancellous bone at post-yield strains. Stress and strain were measured for 1000 s and the relaxation modulus was determined. Fifteen cylindrical, cancellous bone specimens were removed from one bovine femur in the anterior–posterior direction. The relaxation modulus was found to be a function of strain. Therefore cancellous bone is non-linearly viscoelastic/viscoplastic in the plastic region. A power law regression was fit to the relaxation modulus data. The multiplicative constant was found to be statistically related through a power law relationship to both strain (p < 0.0005) and apparent density (p < 0.0005) while the power coefficient was found to be related through a power law relationship, E(t, ε)= A(ε)t-n(ε), to strain (p < 0.0005), but not apparent density.


Repair Of Full-Scale Timber Bridge Chord Members By Shear Spiking, Travis A. Burgers, Richard M. Gutkowski, Jeno Balogh, Donald W. Radford Jul 2008

Repair Of Full-Scale Timber Bridge Chord Members By Shear Spiking, Travis A. Burgers, Richard M. Gutkowski, Jeno Balogh, Donald W. Radford

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

The addition of vertically-oriented shear spikes (fiberglass reinforced polymer rods) was shown to increase the effective stiffness of the stringers of a full-scale timber bridge chord specimen. Results found from the flexural load testing of a full-scale timber bridge chord laboratory specimen are presented. Reinforcement was provided with 19 mm diameter shear spikes bonded to the wood by an epoxy resin. The bridge chord specimen was intentionally damaged to simulate degradation. Shear spikes were then installed from the top of the member into pre‑drilled holes to provide horizontal shear resistance and to improve the flexural effective stiffness. Results from the …