Simple imaging system to measure velocity and improve the quality of fertilizer spreading in agriculture

Sylvain Villette; Frédéric Cointault; E. Piron; B. Chopinet; Michel Paindavoine

doi:10.1117/1.2956835

1 July 2008 Simple imaging system to measure velocity and improve the quality of fertilizer spreading in agriculture

Sylvain Villette, Frédéric Cointault, E. Piron, B. Chopinet, Michel Paindavoine

Author Affiliations +

Journal of Electronic Imaging, Vol. 17, Issue 3, 031109 (July 2008). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.2956835

Abstract

The management of mineral fertilization using centrifugal spreaders calls for the development of spread pattern characterization devices to improve the quality of fertilizer spreading. In order to predict spread pattern deposition using a ballistic flight model, several parameters need to be determined, in particular, the velocity of the granules when they leave the spinning disc. We demonstrate that a motion-blurred image acquired in the vicinity of the disc by a low-cost imaging system can provide the three-dimensional components of the outlet velocity of the particles. A binary image is first obtained using a recursive linear filter. Then an original method based on the Hough transform is developed to identify the particle trajectories and to measure their horizontal outlet angles, not only in the case of horizontal motion but also in the case of three-dimensional motion. The method combines a geometric approach and mechanical knowledge derived from spreading analysis. The outlet velocities are deduced from outlet angle measurements using kinematic relationships. Experimental results provide preliminary validations of the technique.

©(2008) Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

Citation Download Citation

Sylvain Villette, Frédéric Cointault, E. Piron, B. Chopinet, and Michel Paindavoine "Simple imaging system to measure velocity and improve the quality of fertilizer spreading in agriculture," Journal of Electronic Imaging 17(3), 031109 (1 July 2008). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.2956835

Published: 1 July 2008

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available