Abstract: A convenient, water-saving and labor-saving FROG irrigation controller and system are provided, which determine the appropriate water budget and schedule for the property's landscaping based on evapotranspiration data for the geographic area, any regulation data, and property-specific data, with consideration given to reduction in watering days, increase in soil watering depth, and day of year. Once set, the FROG controller provides incremental adjustments over the course of the year; the homeowner no longer needs to re-set the watering program seasonally to automatically comply with local mandated and voluntary watering restrictions. One aspect provides a web-based wizard that is used to determine a customized water budget/schedule which is input into the FROG controller. Another aspect provides an integration of a network of FROG controllers with a central command unit.

Abstract: Micronized perlite filler product, methods of producing the micronized expanded perlite products, and methods of use thereof are provided. The micronized expanded perlite product has, for example, a small median particle size (for example, less than 11 microns), a high blue light brightness (for example, higher than 84) and low oil absorption (for example, less than 70 percent in volume). The micronized expanded perlite product may be used in a variety of applications such as anti-block filler in plastic films and reinforcement filler in polymers.

Abstract: This invention relates to an articulated machine having at least two sections with pivot points between each section, at least two sections of which are steerable. The front section is steered by a human or by a master-control system The trailing steerable section is steered by a slave controller utilizing inputs from sensors. The traction kinking system applies power to the wheels of the trailing machine section to increase or decrease the speed of the trailing section as necessary to decrease the lateral forces on the section, thereby using the traction of the wheels on the pavement to help “kink” the section behind the powered wheels with respect to the section in front of the powered wheels. By reducing these forces, the chance that the wheels will slip to the side is reduced. The system is shown as applied to a dolly and trailer pulled behind a tractor-trailer rig.