Abstract: A method for topdressing turfgrass on an activity field with only solid elastomeric particles is described. The method produces turfgrass which has enhanced color and health even when there is extensive abrasion of the grass through use of the field.

Abstract: A method for growing turfgrass indoors on an activity field under reduced light conditions, The method uses a Type II plant growth regulator (PGR) and particular conditions for growth, The result is a high quality activity field of turfgrass capable of withstanding traffic from multiple athletic events.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing vehicle fuel tank integrity determines the free space in the system by pressurizing the system with a known quantity of gas. The loss in pressure over a test period is then monitored. These data are used to calculate the size of the leak. Alternatively, the free volume is compared to a reference volume and a normalized leak rate computed for comparison to reference values.

Abstract: A headlight testing system includes a target screen upon which an image of headlight illumination is projected. Reference indicia for intensity and positioning are also placed upon the screen. A video camera captures an electrical image of the screen, which is digitized to allow for analysis thereof. A second video camera is directed at the vehicle headlights, its generated image similarly being digitized. The digitized data are processed, reference being made to the reference indicia, to determine positioning and intensity of the headlights. An overhead monitor, viewable from the vehicle may be utilized to provide information to an operator positioned within the vehicle under test, the operator communicating with the system by a wireless link communications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the testing of a vehicle fuel evaporation control system, which typically includes a fuel tank, vapor adsorption canister and purge valve, consisting of the introduction of a non-reactive gas into the control system and the subsequent monitoring of the engine exhaust during operation for presence of the gas. The operating parameters of the engine may be varied to determine parameter-associated operation of the control system. In addition, the quantity of gas admitted into the system may be compared to that exiting the exhaust to provide a quantitative measurement of the integrity of the control system.

Abstract: A plurality of vehicle service stations are located in a geographical area, each station includes one or more service bays in which the vehicle is serviced, each bay has an associated lane in which one or more vehicles wait their turn to be serviced in the bay, each lane has one or more sensors for sensing the presence of vehicles in the lane. Each station has a computer which is responsive to the lane sensors for computing the waiting time at the station for a vehicle, the waiting time for each station is displayed on a visual display at the station, the waiting time from each station is also communicated to a host computer centrally located with the geographical region.

Abstract: A brake test method measures the brake force per axle of a vehicle by having an operator linearly depress the vehicle brake pedal while the axle's left and right wheels positioned on torque motor driven, constant speed rollers. The roller drive torque magnitude is periodically sampled and the samples are filtered to remove ovality discontinuities, the left and right side filtered samples are then compared to detect the maximum brake force imbalance.