Abstract: An electronic apparatus (1) for control or training of an animal includes a housing (2) supported by a strap against the animal's skin, first and second stimulus probes (5) connected to a surface (9) of the housing, and control circuitry in the housing including output terminals selectively producing aversive stimulus. A stabilizing member (7) is connected to a location of the surface (9) of the housing that is offset from a straight line between the first and second stimulus electrodes (5) so that conductive tips of the first and second stimulus electrodes and a tip of the stabilizing post define a triangle, whereby the conductive tips of the first and second stimulus electrodes and the tip of the stabilizing member are pressed against the skin of the animal and prevent rocking of the conductive tips of the first and second stimulus electrodes against the skin of the animal to reduce the occurrence and/or severity of skin sores.

Abstract: The present invention relates to A reduced bleed vapor compression cycle environmental control system for an aircraft. The environmental control system provides conditioned external ram air to compartments such as the cabin, the flight deck, avionics compartment, and other equipment compartments, where conditioned air is needed. The system includes a first compressor for compressing the external ram air to cabin pressure and an evaporator for cooling the external ram air to a desired temperature. The system further includes a low-pressure water separator for removing moisture from the ram air prior to the external ram air being delivered to the compartment(s). The ram air compressor as well as a compressor for a refrigerant loop are driven by a turbine that expands a minimal amount of bleed air from an engine.

Abstract: A kite system including a base, a substantially exposed substructure coupled to the base to flex the base, and one or more masts and sails coupled to the base.

Abstract: A system receives information regarding current flight conditions of a device such as an aircraft and determines the acoustic level of the sonic boom and/or other noise generated by the device during operation. The current acoustic level is compared to a desired level, and various cues are displayed to operators regarding corrective actions that can be taken to reduce or maintain the acoustic level at the desired level. The system also predicts future acoustic levels based on current operating conditions, and varies the urgency of the cues based on whether and how quickly the device will exceed the desired acoustic level. Options to limit maneuvers and to automatically adjust operating condition parameters can be enabled. Options to display additional information regarding past, current, and predicted acoustic levels can also be selected. Signals that can be used to automatically control the acoustic level of a device during operation can also be generated for use in devices that can operate autonomously.

Abstract: A pet food feeder, comprising a connecting member coupled to a support rod, a first connecting surface vertically disposed on the connecting member, a second connecting surface vertically disposed on a containing member of a food bin, a pivotal axis and an axial hole respectively disposed on the first and second connecting surfaces respectively, such that the entire pet food feeder passing through the pivotal axis and the axial hole to combine the containing member and the support rod, and a positioning latch on the second connecting surface being extended into a fixing hole on the first connecting surface to fix an angle of elevation for the opening of the food bin. The positioning latch can be extended into other fixing hole to adjust the angle of elevation of the opening of the food bin to collect the food towards the utmost bottom of the food bin and facilitate the feeding of pets.

Abstract: A method for making an opening in the bladder of an inflatable modular structure. The structure has a core comprised of a fore and aft assembly separated by a longeron. There is an inflatable bladder and a restraint layer that are secured to the core. The restraint layer is comprised of two circumferential strap assemblies; each attachedly fastened at opposing ends of a radial strap assembly, and has an opening for a window. The restraint layer fits over the bladder. The bladder is inflated and the restraint layer is used along with a window template to locate the position of the window on the bladder. The bladder is deflated, the template is removed, and the identified portion of the bladder is cut away. The method may then be repeated.

Abstract: An active flow control device and method for improving the aerodynamic efficiency of airfoils. The device and method pertain to the application of hybrid intermittent suction or intake of low-energy boundary layer fluid into an airfoil through one or more inlet openings while also applying intermittent blowing or expulsion of fluid out of such an airfoil into the boundary layer through one or more outlet openings for the purpose of delaying or eliminating boundary layer separation.

Abstract: A self-medicating applicator device that can be used to apply a treatment to animals.

Abstract: A collar for pets includes an adjustment belt and a neck belt wherein the adjustment belt has a plurality of engagement holes equidistantly distributed at the surface of one side thereon, and the neck belt is provided with an engaging hoop attached at one side thereto. At the other side of the adjustment belt and the neck belt are respectively disposed a first and a second coupling hoops with a first and a second movable coupling belts attached at the other side of the coupling hoops thereof. The first/second movable coupling belts are respectively provided with a D-shaped first/second leash hoops at the outer side of the other end thereof, and a first/second passages disposed at the middle section thereon for holding a male and female buckle pieces with elastic buckling legs and buckling holes disposed thereon respectively.

Abstract: A bird bath including a basin configured to receive and retain water, and a mounting a mounting assembly configured to securably mount the bird bath to a structure. The mounting assembly supports the basin and includes a mounting bracket configured to mount to the structure and a pivoting bracket pivotally secured to the mounting bracket. The basin is secured to the pivoting bracket, which is configured to pivot with respect to the mounting bracket so that the basin may move between a secured retracted position for receiving and retaining water within the basin and a fully extended position for emptying contents of the basin.

Abstract: A process and system for noise reduction in multi-engine propeller-driven aircraft. The parameters of at least two propellers are adjusted with regard to frequency, amplitude, and phase so that the sound fields of the propellers are attenuated or completely extinguished by interference in the area of the closest aircraft fuselage.

Abstract: A chew toy for a carnivorous domestic animal comprises a combination of rawhide and pigskin formed into a suitable shape, such as a bone, roll, donut, or various other shapes. The rawhide and pigskin are provided as sheets which are rolled or otherwise sandwiched together or otherwise intertwined to form a chew toy having improved flavor and order, thereby encouraging the animal to chew on the toy.

Abstract: A method to condition honey bees to search for a non-rewarding producing target odor source enables bees to identify a number of chemical substances such as those associated with unexploded ordnances, land mines, and illicit drug laboratories. Further, the subject method can be used to increase pollination efficiency by conditioning the bees to search for a specific vapor from a target crop. The method includes conditioning the bees to the target odor by moving their hives into a staging area. The staging area is located at least two miles from the ultimate site to be searched. The target odor is applied to the hive. Bulk feeders containing the target odor are placed near the hive. The hives are reoriented to the bulk feeders for several days. The hives are then moved to the search site and feeding/conditioning trays containing the target odor are placed nearby. For the first, approximately 24 hours, the bees are fed from the feeding/conditioning trays.

Abstract: Filtration systems for animal enclosures such as bird cages are disclosed. A moving body of liquid through a receptacle, traps waste and airborne contaminants from the enclosures, a filtration unit filters the waste, and a pump circulates the liquid. A sterilizing unit may be connected to inhibit microbial growth. An auto shut-off valve may be used to control the pump.

Abstract: A flying toy system including a kite portion, and a figure coupled to the kite portion that moves with respect to its coupling with the kite portion.

Abstract: An automatic milking plant includes a teat cup connected via a flexible connection hose to a collecting piece for collecting extracted milk and for transmitting a vacuum required for milking. The collecting piece is provided with a connecting piece for the flexible connection hose. The connecting piece and/or the flexible connection hose are implemented such that the flexible connection hose is stiffened in the connection zone of the connecting piece and that the stiffened region of the flexible connection hose extends beyond a milk-carrying area of the connecting piece in the axial direction. An end of a hose sleeve which faces away from the connecting piece is designed asymmetrically in the longitudinal direction, and the hose sleeve encloses the flexible connection hose at least partially in the area of the connecting piece.

Abstract: The Duffel Bag Airplane is an inflatable flying wing unmanned airborne vehicle (UAV). The fuselage will house everything but the wings. The wing can be rolled up around the fuselage into a small package when deflated for easy transportation, such as by being carried in a duffle bag. Fabric construction, a small internal combustion engine with cooled exhaust, and wing warping controls combine to make the airplane inexpensive and extremely stealthy. All the usual signatures have been suppressed, which allow it to be used to make observations from close range under combat conditions. Control of this airplane is accomplished by warping the wings and is supplemented with stability augmentation.

Abstract: A method for quick insulating the interior skin of an airplane. The system includes a new design for the insulating blanket with permeable and impermeable membranes and a blanket “clip” allowing for cable pass-through. The method stabilizes blanket construction method, minimizes moisture retention and promotes a design based provisioning strategy to accommodate system run access to the airplane skin through a simplified interface detail. Both the insulation blanket and the blanket clip attach to the aircraft frame via a “zip-lock” attachment system, which consists of vertical rails with receiving detail to receive the (blanket and clip) zip-lock strips, and a cap strip that covers (and secures) the zip-lock strips. The invention solves the moisture retention and installation time and the quantity of Mylar® used to encapsulate the fiberglass material.

Abstract: A boar cart for carrying a boar through alleyways of a sow insemination area for interaction with the sows during insemination is formed by a cage for containing the boar which includes a cage floor on which the boar stands, two sides each defined by vertical bars on a respective side of a longitudinal center line of the cage assembly for confining the boar so that the boar is maintained extending longitudinally of the cage, a cage front and a cage rear. The cage may be rigid or may be defined by a front portion and a rear portion connected together for pivotal articulated movement about a pivot coupling defining a vertical pivot axis arranged substantially at the center line such that the cage can articulate to the left and to the right for navigating left and right corners in the alleyways while the boar is retained in the cage.

Abstract: A stringed cat toy to encourage playful activity and exercise in cats and healthy interaction between cat owners and their pets. The cat toy comprises an elongated music string with a small handle securely connected at one end and an object which is attractive to cats secured at the opposite end. The preferred cat toy string is selected from a group of composite strings used for instruments such as the cello, bass or violin, which are of low tensile strength and are designed for low-frequency vibration on the order of about 100 Hertz or less. The dynamic properties of the composite string facilitate interesting movements of the attractor, preferably a horse hair tassel, when the handle is rotated. The motion of the attractor appears to be a life-like and erratic movement that simulates prey and stimulates natural predatory instincts within the cat to encourage the animal to leap at the object. Such playful activity both exercises the cat and promotes beneficial interaction between cat and owner.