Abstract: A machine for distributing loosefill insulation material. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is configured to receive loosefill insulation material. The chute has a first portion in fluid communication with a second portion and forms an angle with the second portion. A shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred, pick apart and condition the loosefill insulation material. A discharge mechanism is mounted to receive the loosefill insulation material exiting the shredding chamber. The discharge mechanism is configured to distribute the loosefill insulation material into an airstream. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism. The angle between the first portion of the chute and the second portion of the chute is configured to control the descent of the loosefill insulation material into the shredding chamber.

Abstract: A machine for distributing loosefill insulation material is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is configured to receive compressed loosefill insulation material. A lower unit has a shredding chamber configured to receive the compressed loosefill insulation material from the outlet end of the chute. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred, pick apart and condition the loosefill insulation material. The shredders include a shredder shaft and a plurality of vane assemblies. The vane assemblies are oriented such that adjacent vane assemblies are offset from each other by an angle in a range of from about 45° to about 75°. A discharge mechanism is mounted to receive conditioned loosefill insulation material exiting the shredding chamber. The discharge mechanism is configured to distribute the conditioned loosefill insulation material into an airstream.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation material from a package of compressed loosefill insulation material is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and outlet end. The inlet end is configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation material. The chute further has a removable hose hub extending within the interior of the chute. The removable hose hub is configured for wrapping with a distribution hose. A lower unit is configured to receive the compressed loosefill insulation material exiting the outlet end of the chute. The lower unit includes a plurality of shredders and a discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism is configured to discharge conditioned loosefill insulation material into an airstream.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation material is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet portion and an upper portion. The inlet portion is configured to receive a package of compressed loosefill insulation material. The upper portion extends from the inlet portion. The inlet portion and the upper portion have cross-sectional shapes and sizes that closely correspond to a cross-sectional shape and size of the package of compressed loosefill insulation material. A lower unit is configured to receive the loosefill insulation material exiting the chute. The lower unit includes a plurality of shredders and a discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism is configured to discharge conditioned loosefill insulation material into an airstream. The cross-sectional shape and size of the inlet portion and the upper portion are configured to direct an expansive force of the compressed loosefill insulation material in a direction toward the lower unit.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation material from a package of compressed loosefill insulation material is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet portion and outlet portion. The inlet portion is configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation material. A lower unit is configured to receive the compressed loosefill insulation material exiting the outlet portion of the chute. The lower unit includes a plurality of shredders and a discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism is configured to discharge conditioned loosefill insulation material into an airstream. The discharge mechanism includes a hose outlet plate assembly configured to cover an outlet end of the discharge mechanism and is further configured to connect a distribution hose to the discharge mechanism. The hose outlet plate assembly includes a tapered passage extending from the outlet end of the discharge mechanism to the distribution hose.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation material from a package of compressed loosefill insulation material is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet portion and outlet portion. The inlet portion is configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation material with the package having a substantially vertical orientation. The chute has a volumetric size. A lower unit is configured to receive the compressed loosefill insulation material exiting the outlet portion of the chute. The lower unit includes a plurality of shredders and a discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism is configured to discharge conditioned loosefill insulation material into an airstream. The lower unit has a volumetric size. The machine has a volumetric size equal to the total of a volumetric size of the chute and the volumetric size of the lower unit, and wherein the machine has a maximum volumetric size of 12.0 cubic feet.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation material from a package of compressed loosefill insulation material is provided. The machine includes a chute. The chute has an inlet portion, an outlet portion, a bale guide and a cutting mechanism. The inlet portion is configured to receive the package with the package having a substantially vertical orientation. The inlet portion has a vertical height. The bale guide has a length and is configured to urge the package against the cutting mechanism. The cutting mechanism is configured to open the package. A lower unit is configured to receive the material exiting the outlet portion of the chute. The lower unit includes a plurality of shredders and a discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism is configured to discharge conditioned loosefill insulation material into an airstream. The length of the bale guide extends substantially across the height of the inlet portion of the chute.

Abstract: A machine for distributing loosefill insulation material from a package of compressed loosefill insulation material is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is configured to receive compressed loosefill insulation material. The machine also includes a lower unit. The lower unit has a shredding chamber with a plurality of shredders configured to condition the loosefill insulation material thereby forming conditioned loosefill insulation material. The plurality of shredders is driven by one or more motors. A discharge mechanism is mounted to receive the loosefill insulation material. The discharge mechanism is configured to distribute the conditioned loosefill insulation material into an airstream. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism. A sound chamber is configured to receive the one or more motors and further configured to reduce the sound rating emanating from the machine.

Abstract: A machine for distributing loosefill insulation from a package of compressed loosefill insulation material is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end receives the loosefill insulation material. A shredding chamber is configured to receive the loosefill insulation material from the outlet end. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred, pick apart and condition the loosefill insulation material. A discharge mechanism is mounted to receive the conditioned material. The discharge mechanism is configured to distribute the conditioned material into an airstream. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism. The blower has a rotational speed that defines the volume and the velocity of the airstream. A remote control assembly is configured to communicate with the machine such that the volume and velocity of the airstream can be adjusted in a remote location.

Abstract: A general purpose insulation bag is provided. The general purpose insulation bag includes a jacket configured to form a desired three dimensional shape. The jacket forms a cavity therewithin and has an opening. Insulative material is positioned within the cavity and is configured to form an insulative layer. The insulative layer has a thickness configured to provide a desired insulative value to the general purpose insulation bag. The opening is configured to retain the insulative material within the cavity formed within the jacket.

Abstract: A seismic system includes a wireless sensor node. The wireless sensor node includes a global positioning system (GPS) device to receive a GPS time value at an interval; a temperature sensor to measure temperature; an oscillator to measure time; and a memory to store the GPS time value, the temperature, and the oscillator time. The wireless sensor node also includes a processor to determine a rate of temperature change during the interval, and to dynamically update the interval to receive the GPS time value from the GPS device, based on the rate of temperature change.

Abstract: An attic stairway insulator assembly configured for placement within a building scuttle is provided. The building scuttle has a length and a width. The attic stairway insulator assembly includes a base configured to cover the building scuttle. The base has a length and a width corresponding generally to the length and the width of the building scuttle. A bag is seated on the base and has insulative material within a jacket. The bag has a length that is longer than the length of the base and a width that is wider than the width of the base such that portions of the bag having the insulative material drape over portions of the base.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided related to seismic sensor data. Seismic sensor signaling is digitally sampled in accordance with a local clock and without synchronization to standardized time. Timestamp data is used to synthesize data correspondent to an artificial stimulus waveform. Cross-correlation of the synthesized data with the seismic sensor data yields a correlation result. The correlation result can be scaled to an original starting time for the seismic data sampling. The scaled correlation result can be stored in computer-accessible media and subject to further processing or interpretation.

Abstract: A speed control system for an earth working apparatus. The speed control system includes a steering structure and a speed control lever movably coupled to the steering structure. The speed control lever may be operatively coupled to a self propel system of the earth working apparatus. The speed control lever is at rest in a neutral position, is actuable in a first direction for forward movement of the apparatus, and may be actuable in a second direction for rearward movement of the apparatus.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system for generating a reference waveform. The system can include a first pulse-width modulation (PWM) channel configured to provide a first PWM waveform having a first duty cycle and a first frequency. A second PWM channel is configured to provide a second PWM waveform having a second duty cycle and the first frequency. Combinational logic is configured to combine the first PWM waveform and the second PWM waveform to generate a phase-shifted reference PWM waveform having the first frequency and a phase shift that is based on the first duty cycle and the second duty cycle.

Abstract: Determining time latency at a sensor node in a mesh network. A beacon time is received at the sensor node from an upstream node, the beacon time offset from global time by the latency. The latency, the global time, and a corresponding local time are determined at the sensor node.

Abstract: A walk-behind soil aerator includes an engine, a differential, and left and right tine assemblies driven by the first and second output shafts of the differential, and a variable speed drive means between the engine and the differential, as well as a control means accessible by an operator walking behind the aerator which allows the operator to make tight turns by gradually reducing the speed of the drive means to a desired slow speed in order for the driven tines to drive the aerator through the turn and then gradually increasing the speed of the drive means without having to change the engine speed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided related to seismic sensor data. Seismic sensor signaling is digitally sampled in accordance with a local clock and without synchronization to standardized time. Timestamp data is used to synthesize data correspondent to an artificial stimulus waveform. Cross-correlation of the synthesized data with the seismic sensor data yields a correlation result. The correlation result can be scaled to an original starting time for the seismic data sampling. The scaled correlation result can be stored in computer-accessible media and subject to further processing or interpretation.