Abstract: Provided is an earth working tool assembly comprising: a tool shank having a leading end portion; an earth working tip having a trailing end portion that is detachably engageable with the leading end portion of the tool shank; and a fastening assembly for detachably fastening the earth working tip to the tool shank. The fastening assembly comprises: a trailing connector that is connectable to the tool shank; a leading connector that is connectable to the earth working tip; a spring mounting mechanism interposed between the trailing and leading connectors. The spring mounting mechanism is configured so that the trailing and leading connectors can be driven away from each other against a bias of the spring mounting mechanism, into and out of an operative condition in which the spring mounting mechanism acts to retain the earth working tip and the tool shank in engagement with each other.

Abstract: A device for configuring a plough between a use configuration and a transport configuration is provided, the device comprising an elongated support and an actuator connected with the elongated support, wherein the elongated support is for sliding connection with the plough, and the actuator is for actuating connection with the plough, and wherein when the elongated support and the actuator are connected with the plough, actuation of the actuator can slide the plough relative to the elongated support to configure the plough between the use configuration and the transport configuration. Related systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method of validating a test for estimating the organic carbon content of soil or changes in organic carbon content of soil over time in which a first sample of soil is taken from a selected location and heated using Loss On Ignition (LOI) to remove organic carbon, the method comprising the steps of taking a further sample of soil from an adjacent location, the sample having minimal organic material content. A predetermined quantity of an organic material is added to the further sample to provide a second sample which is heated using Loss On Ignition (LOI) with the change of weight of the second sample determining whether the test of the first sample yielded a valid estimate of the organic carbon content of the first sample. Apparatus (10) for use in performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of estimating the organic carbon content of soil or changes in organic carbon content of the soil over time using Loss On Ignition (LOI) in which a first sample of the soil is taken from a selected location and heated by forcing heated oxygen-containing gas through the soil sample, monitoring the temperature of the sample by using at least one temperature sensing means within the soil sample and varying the supply of the gas to the sample in accordance with the temperature of the sample as sensed by the sensing means to remove organic materials including organic carbon from the soil sample by burning off or oxidising the organic materials.

Abstract: A method of validating a test for estimating the organic carbon content of soil or changes in organic carbon content of soil over time in which a first sample of soil is taken from a selected location and heated using Loss On Ignition (LOI) to remove organic carbon, the method comprising the steps of taking a further sample of soil from an adjacent location, the sample having minimal organic material content. A predetermined quantity of an organic material is added to the further sample to provide a second sample which is heated using Loss On Ignition (LOI) with the change of weight of the second sample determining whether the test of the first sample yielded a valid estimate of the organic carbon content of the first sample. Apparatus (10) for use in performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus (41) for determining the organic carbon content of soil in heated air or gas is forced through a soil sample (36) to burn off or oxidize organic carbon in the sample with the change of weight of the sample (36) indicating the carbon content in the soil sample (36) and thus the soil from which the sample (36) is taken. The apparatus (41) includes a housing (47) in which one or more soil samples (36) may be located, a heater unit (51) for heating the air or gas for passage through the soil samples (36) to burn off organic materials therein including organic carbon. The apparatus (41) also includes a weighing device (76) which enables the change of weight of the soil samples (36) to be determined while the samples (36) remain within the housing (47).

Abstract: A solar power system (11) which comprises a plurality of solar energy collecting means (10,10a,10b,10c) respectively comprising a platform assembly (16,16a,16b,16c) floating on liquid in a liquid reservoir (14,14a,14b,14c), each platform assembly carrying solar energy concentrators or collectors and respective reservoirs (14,14a,14b,14c), being interconnected in series and arranged in a cascading relationship such that the flooding of a platform assembly (16,16a,16b,16c) in one reservoir (14,14a,14b,14c), for protection of the concentrators or collectors under liquid displaces liquid in that reservoir (14,14a,14b,14c), and causes the flooding of an adjacent lower platform assembly (16,16a,16b,16c) to protect the concentrators or collectors carried thereon.

Abstract: A tool mounting assembly comprising a shank holder having an elongated passage and an elongated tool shank for an earth working or agricultural tool which is received within the passage and which includes a series of longitudinally spaced teeth. A rotatable adjuster is mounted on the shank holder and can cooperate with the teeth for moving the shank longitudinally of the passage to vary the operating depth of the tool. The shank can also cooperate with the adjuster to lock the adjuster against rotation which prevents longitudinal movement of the shank. A retaining member can be located in the passage for cooperation with the shank to hold the shank in this position. The adjuster may also be rotated to a position out of engagement with the shank teeth which allows for longitudinal sliding movement of the shank through the passage.

Abstract: A steam or vapor condensing system (10) for use with radiant solar energy collecting apparatus (17) of the type having solar energy concentrators (20) and in which steam or vapor is generated for supply to a load such as to a steam turbine, the system (10) using the solar energy concentrators (20) to directly or indirectly radiate heat energy of exhaust steam or vapor from the load. The collecting apparatus (17) may float on a body of liquid (19) and heat energy of the exhaust steam or vapor is transferred to the body of liquid for example by being passed through a duct (23) in the body of liquid (19) and heat energy transferred to the body of liquid (19) is radiated by the concentrators (20).

Abstract: A tool mounting assembly comprising a shank holder having an elongated passage and an elongated tool shank for an earth working or agricultural tool which is received within the passage and which includes a series of longitudinally spaced teeth. A rotatable adjuster is mounted on the shank holder and can cooperate with the teeth for moving the shank longitudinally of the passage to vary the operating depth of the tool. The shank can also cooperate with the adjuster to lock the adjuster against rotation which prevents longitudinal movement of the shank. A retaining member can be located in the passage for cooperation with the shank to hold the shank in this position. The adjuster may also be rotated to a position out of engagement with the shank teeth which allows for longitudinal sliding movement of the shank through the passage.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus (41) for determining the organic carbon content of soil in heated air or gas is forced through a soil sample (36) to burn off or oxidise organic carbon in the sample with the change of weight of the sample (36) indicating the carbon content in the soil sample (36) and thus the soil from which the sample (36) is taken. The apparatus (41) includes a housing (47) in which one or more soil samples (36) may be located, a heater unit (51) for heating the air or gas for passage through the soil samples (36) to burn off organic materials therein including organic carbon. The apparatus (41) also includes a weighing device (76) which enables the change of weight of the soil samples (36) to be determined whilst the samples (36) remain within the housing (47).

Abstract: A solar power system (11) which comprises a plurality of solar energy collecting means (10,10a,10b,10c) respectively comprising a platform assembly (16,16a,16b,16c) floating on liquid in a liquid reservoir (14,14a,14b,14c), each platform assembly carrying solar energy concentrators or collectors and respective reservoirs (14,14a,14b,14c), being interconnected in series and arranged in a cascading relationship such that the flooding of a platform assembly (16,16a,16b,16c) in one reservoir (14,14a,14b,14c), for protection of the concentrators or collectors under liquid displaces liquid in that reservoir (14,14a,14b,14c), and causes the flooding of an adjacent lower platform assembly (16,16a,16b,16c) to protect the concentrators or collectors carried thereon.

Abstract: A steam or vapour condensing system (10) for use with radiant solar energy collecting apparatus (17) of the type having solar energy concentrators (20) and in which steam or vapour is generated for supply to a load such as to a steam turbine, the system (10) using the solar energy concentrators (20) to directly or indirectly radiate heat energy of exhaust steam or vapour from the load. The collecting apparatus (17) may float on a body of liquid (19) and heat energy of the exhaust steam or vapour is transferred to the body of liquid for example by being passed through a duct (23) in the body of liquid (19) and heat energy transferred to the body of liquid (19) is radiated by the concentrators (20).

Abstract: A radiant energy absorber (39) having an absorber tube (40) formed with V-shaped grooves (41) in its outer surface to enhance energy collection. The radiant energy absorber (39) may also include an inner tube (43) and a helically extending wire (48) in the annular space between the inner tube (43) and outer tube (40) which defines a helically extending flow passage along which the medium flowing into the absorber is constrained to pass.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a shank including a shank holder having a passage for receiving the shank, the passage having at one end opposite tapering surfaces which define with the leading edge of the shank opposite tapering spaces for receiving wedge members. Bolts are provided between the wedging members and holder to urge the wedging members longitudinally of the passage to wedge the shank in a selected position relative to the holder.

Abstract: A parabolic reflector assembly (10) comprising a base member (11) formed of magnetic material and defining a parabolic surface (12), and a flexible magnet sheet (18) carrying a reflective sheet (19) magnetically bonded to the parabolic surface to form a parabolic reflecting surface. A method of manufacturing the parabolic reflector assembly is also disclosed. The parabolic reflect or assembly typically may be used as a concentrator is solar energy concentrating apparatus.

Abstract: An earth working tool assembly of the type including a tool shank terminating in a foot and an earth working tool or point which has a socket for engagement by the shank foot. A bridging member extends between the shank foot and point, the bridging member having a tongue at one end which is received in a channel on the underside of the shank foot and a channel at the other end which receives a rib on the underside of the point. The bridging member transfers a proportion of side loading on the tool point to the tool shank at a position rearwardly from the leading end of the foot of the tool shank so as that the shank has increased resistance to breakage or bending.

Abstract: A parabolic reflector assembly (10) comprising a base member (11) formed of magnetic material and defining a parabolic surface (12), and a flexible magnet sheet (18) carrying a reflective sheet (19) magnetically bonded to the parabolic surface to form a parabolic reflecting surface. A method of manufacturing the parabolic reflector assembly is also disclosed. The parabolic reflector assembly typically may be used as a concentrator is solar energy concentrating apparatus.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a shank including a shank holder having a passage for receiving the shank, the passage having at one end opposite tapering surfaces which define with the leading edge of the shank opposite tapering spaces for receiving wedge members. Bolts are provided between the wedging members and holder to urge the wedging members longitudinally of the passage to wedge the shank in a selected position relative to the holder.