Abstract: An apparatus automatically removes soil samples at intervals over a field of interest. The apparatus comprises a sampling assembly that rotates on a track. The probe of the sampler assembly is extended through the track and into the ground, then retracted on each revolution of the track. The sampler assembly is hinged and guided along a track in order to minimize soil compaction as the probe rotates around the rear wheel of the apparatus. Soil is ejected by means of a “rumble path” along the top of the track. The soil samples are pneumatically transferred to a bagging assembly located in the tractor pulling the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing multiple vaccinations of poultry simultaneously is described. A neck injection, breast injection, two wing injections, and an eye mist or drop may be performed in one operation. The apparatus holds the bird in position for precise location of injections, thereby reducing wasted vaccine. The risk of injury to the bird during the process is minimized by greatly reducing the manual handling of the bird during vaccination. Vaccination costs are also reduced by the reduction of labor otherwise required in this process.

Abstract: A paging and mobile communications system and method is disclosed whereby entertainment, news, and other timely information may be delivered to a service recipient through a pager while the service recipient is waiting for service. A master unit delivers information to base units associated with each service provider subscribing to the system, and a plurality of pager units are associated with each base unit. The pager units may allow two-way communication with the base unit, whereby games and other interactive content may be delivered to the service recipient using the paging unit. Advertising may be delivered to service recipients through the system, thereby providing an additional revenue flow to the subscriber.

Abstract: An exercise device comprises a tubular support with attached pivoting footboards. The footboards are biased such that pressing the footboards forward causes an exercise effect in the user's lower body. Resilient cords may be used that are attached to the device, such that pulling the handles attached to the resilient cords causes an exercise effect in the user's lower body. The tubular construction of the support allows the device to be constructed in such a manner as to reduce its weight and footprint, and increase its portability, over other exercise devices providing comparable exercise opportunities.

Abstract: An automatic vaccinator of eggs, consisting of a system for applying vaccine with a vaccine chamber in which vaccine bags are hung and with an air bag that, when expanded, forces the vaccine from the bags and through tubing to a distribution manifold and the injectors, so that the vaccine is delivered to the eggs, is disclosed. A pressure sensor is installed in the distribution manifold and connected to a regulator, measuring the pressure in the distribution manifold at the point farthest from the vaccine chamber and controlling the pressure in the air bag to maintain a uniform quantity of vaccine being injected into the eggs and turning off the vaccinator if the pressure falls below a critical level, signaling that the vaccine bags are empty. The mechanical unit includes a system to support, align and secure the injectors over the egg tray, composed of two plates that work independently, a support plate and an alignment plate.

Abstract: The invention provides electrochemically-based methods and devices for producing fluid flow and/or changes in fluid pressure. In the methods and devices of the invention, current is passed through a divided electrochemical cell. Adjacent compartments of the cell are divided by a separator which comprises an ionically conducting separator. Each compartment includes an electrode and an electrolyte solution or ionic liquid. The electrolyte solution(s) or ionic liquid(s) and the ionically conducting separator are selected to obtain the desired relationship between the current through the cell and the fluid flowrate and/or change in fluid pressure.

Abstract: An automated and interactive system that facilitates efficient capitalization/liquidation and monitoring of private and publicly-traded enterprises through a network-driven marketplace is disclosed. The system may be comprised of a dynamic process for enterprise characterization, a customizable computational engine that utilizes statistical reference information to quantify a multi-factor scoring value for each unique enterprise, a customizable system for investor-users to filter, rank, and screen enterprise prospects, a customizable system for monitoring the performance of enterprises, an integrated internal system for electronic communication between market participants, and an empirical feedback system that provides a dynamic knowledge base of statistical reference information for various computational components of the invention.

Abstract: A quick-release mechanism for disconnecting the footwear and footplate of an orthoses from a rotation bar, 90-degree bar, or other component of an orthosis is disclosed. The mechanism allows the footwear to be fitted to a patient with the bar or other component disengaged, while also allowing the angle between the bar or other component and the footplate to be locked when the orthosis is in place in order to treat conditions such as clubfoot.

Abstract: A targeting and tracking apparatus and method for optical transceivers is disclosed. The tracking function is performed internally by way of translating an internal optical fiber in the focal plane of the transceiver telescope using miniature motorized translation systems and/or micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). The optical design of the transceiver provides a wide field of view and a pointing and tracking field of regard that is directly proportional to the translation of the optical fiber in the focal plane of the telescope. The apparatus and method can eliminate the need for external gimballing systems and scanning mirrors, and replace the gimballed optical beam steering function with motorized translation systems and/or MEMS that consumes very little power.

Abstract: A seamless guttering system formed of flat, seamless plastic is disclosed. The gutter material is thinned along longitudinal lines to be bent into a “U” shape, and includes connectors molded integrally with the flat material to lock the gutter into the proper form. The system also includes a seamless top piece that may be used to close the “U” shape into a box shape for the purpose of forming a downspout. A seamless hanger piece with connectors may be employed, or the gutters may be mounted directly to the building. Various seamless leaf guards may be employed in alternative embodiments. Flexible corner and downspout connectors complete the system.

Abstract: A beam steering apparatus and method for free space optical transceivers is disclosed. The beam steering function is performed internally by way of translating an internal optical fiber in the focal plane of the transceiver telescope using miniature micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). The optical design of the transceiver provides a wide field of view and a pointing and tracking field of regard that is directly proportional to the translation of the optical fiber in the focal plane of the telescope. The apparatus and method can eliminate the need for external gimballing systems, and replace the gimballed free space optical beam steering function with MEMS that consumes very little power.

Abstract: An apparatus removes soil samples at intervals over a field of interest. The apparatus comprises a sampling assembly (60) that rotates on a track (32) riding on a plurality of idler wheels (29, 31). A probe (66) extends and retracts under the action of a scissored frame assembly (70), mechanically manipulated by passage of the scissored frame assembly (70) along a guide assembly (108). The probe (66) is extended into the ground and retracted on each revolution. An ejector (68) pushes soil from the probe (66) as it passes over a hopper (88) to retain the cores. The cores are pneumatically transferred from the hopper (88) to a plurality of sample collection containers (126). An electronic control system uses GPS location information to deposit collected cores in the appropriate container (126) based upon the current location of the apparatus in the field of interest.

Abstract: An exercise device has a central grip with a first and second end. Three peripheral handles are symmetrically disposed around a central grip. Each peripheral handle has first and second radial portions extending from the first and second ends of the central grip, and a peripheral grip portion disposed between is respective radial portions. The peripheral grip portions are parallel to the central grip. The central grip has three partially flattened sides respectively facing each of the three peripheral grip portions. The junction of any two sides forms a curved edge that fits comfortably in the joint of a human finger. The peripheral distance around the central grip is two to three times the peripheral distance around a peripheral grip portion. In various exercises, users can grip a peripheral grip portion by one hand, use both hands to grasp adjacent peripheral grip portions, or grasp the central grip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system of automatic vaccination of eggs, developed for the purpose of vaccinating large quantities of fertile eggs in order to reduce the costs and labor involved, reduce embryonic mortality by increasing protection from diseases and reduce the stress in the first day of life of poultry chicks by eliminating the process of manually vaccinating each chick. The invention comprises an automatic system controlled by a PLC (programmable logic controller), using an injector that has a cylindrical body and cap made from high density non-corrosive plastic and together they form a pneumatic chamber, the cap containing an electronic contact sensor to signal empty egg spaces and avoiding wasting vaccine. The injector's pneumatic chamber contains a plasticized fiber sleeve to permit smooth movement of the pneumatic plunger.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for the automatic control of a debarking system for use in a chip mill, paper mill, or the like. The present invention comprises one or more programmable logic controllers (PLCs) that receive input from ultrasonic sensors that measure the quantity of wood present at various locations within the system. Based on this data, the PLCs reference look-up tables that contain information on start, stop, speed up, and slow down times for various system components based on such criteria as wood variety and season. The control system optimizes the fiber yield from the debarking system while also reducing mechanical wear on components of the system by reducing the time at which components are run at high speed.

Abstract: An aircraft is disclosed that comprises a fuselage with first and second wings non-rotatably secured to and extending from sides of the fuselage. Inner and outer tracks are secured to and encircle the fuselage, and airfoils are operably secured between the inner and outer tracks. Means are provided for rotating the airfoils. The means for rotating the airfoils may be comprised of first and second drive coils, and first and second alternators may be operably coupled to the first and second drive coils, respectively, to provide redundant power supplies. Permanent magnets in the rotor hub may be arranged in a Halbach array or may be arranged to provide a series of alternating, opposite magnetic poles. Separate drive and suspension coils may be provided in the stator. The concept may find further application in a lift fan or tail section of conventional aircraft. In that regard, a lift fan or tail section may be provided in which a stator magnetically levitates a lift fan rotor or tail rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lossless run-length data encoding is disclosed. In the first stage of the method, an input data sequence is transformed without increasing its volume in order to obtain long sequences of identical digits. In the second stage, every such sequence is replaced with a unique shorter sequence. The compressed data is decoded performing corresponding inverse operations. The method is very efficient for compression of some classes of digital images with long sequences of the same number, such as graphics, texts, signatures, and fingerprints.

Abstract: A tool allowing both the inflation and deflation of air-filled bags such as dunnage bags is disclosed. The tool comprises a sliding control to easily and safely turn the flow of air on and off. The tool is switched from inflation to deflation mode by moving the bag connecting valve from one end of the device to the other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for injecting surfactant into a well for coal bed methane (CBM) recovery, tight sand gas extraction, and other gas extraction techniques provides for the mixing of surfactant and water near the downhole end of the well, maximizing water removal for gas recovery. The apparatus may include a check valve that feeds a nozzle to atomize the spray of surfactant into the well production tube. Surfactant is not sprayed directly into the formation, thereby protecting the formation from damage and recovering surfactant even in the case where water is not present. The capillary tube feeding surfactant to the check valve may be placed externally to the production tube to facilitate ease of cleaning and clearing of the production tube.

Abstract: An apparatus removes soil samples at intervals over a field of interest. The apparatus comprises a sampling assembly (60) that rotates on a track (32) riding on a plurality of idler wheels (29, 31). A probe (66) extends and retracts under the action of a scissored frame assembly (70), mechanically manipulated by passage of the scissored frame assembly (70) along a guide assembly (108). The probe (66) is extended into the ground and retracted on each revolution. An ejector (68) pushes soil from the probe (66) as it passes over a hopper (88) to retain the cores. The cores are pneumatically transferred from the hopper (88) to a plurality of sample collection containers (126). An electronic control system uses GPS location information to deposit collected cores in the appropriate container (126) based upon the current location of the apparatus in the field of interest.