Abstract: The disclosed embodiments pertain to methods and systems for producing a uniform irradiance upon a horizontal surface using an array of LED emitters and optionally a reflective surface. The uniform irradiance upon a horizontal surface has utility in horticultural lighting applications where it is desirable to distribute energy from the lighting system uniformly to the crop canopy to ensure uniform growth rates and optimal usage of electrical power. Linear LED arrays may be disposed in parallel along a linear support structure with the angle of the arrays and the angle of the LED beams adjusted to comport with an even light distribution over the plant canopy or horizontal surface. The optical light patters achieved resemble and are sometimes called “batwings.

Abstract: Electrical current conditioning systems may include simplified electronic protection circuits for LED lights used for growing plants. A system includes an LED support structure with a channel extending therethrough, and an LED array module carried on a surface of the LED support structure. The LED array module includes an LED array and a current conditioning circuit which adjusts the amount of current flowing through the LED array in response to a temperature indication. The current conditioning circuit includes a current sensing circuit which adjusts the amount of current flowing through the LED array in response to a voltage indication.

Abstract: A device for measuring the deflection of pavement under an applied load includes a longitudinally extending member mounted on a mobile carriage. A load wheel is mounted near the first end of the longitudinally extending member below a load platform. A first distance sensor is mounted near the load wheel to measure the depth of a deflection basin created by the wheel at a target location disposed on the pavement. A second distance sensor mounted at a predetermined distance from the first sensor to measure distance to the target location when the second distance sensor is positioned proximate to the target location. The device further includes a target designator for designating the target location and a target detector for detecting a position of the target location.

Abstract: A device for measuring the deflection of pavement under an applied load includes a longitudinally extending member mounted on a mobile carriage. A load wheel is mounted near the first end of the longitudinally extending member below a load platform. A first distance sensor is mounted near the load wheel to measure the depth of a deflection basin created by the wheel at a target location disposed on the pavement. A second distance sensor mounted at a predetermined distance from the first sensor to measure distance to the target location when the second distance sensor is positioned proximate to the target location. The device further includes a target designator for designating the target location and a target detector for detecting a position of the target location.

Abstract: A source produces light, preferably in a wavelength band of approximately 185-200 nm and in pulses at a suitable frequency (e.g., 100 Hz). The light may be directed in a progressively diverging beam into the atmosphere for a Rayleigh scattering by molecules in the atmosphere in the 185-200 nm wavelength band and for fluorescence by particular molecules (e.g. oxygen) in the atmosphere in another wavelength band (e.g. 210-260 nm). The Rayleigh scattered light and the fluorescent light may pass in a progressively converging beam to two detectors, one responsive to the Rayleigh scattered light to produce first signals and the other responsive to the fluorescent light to produce second signals. Optical elements may prevent the second detector from responding to the fluorescent light and the second detector from responding to the scattered Rayleigh light. A data processor processes the first and second signals to provide outputs representative of the atmospheric pressure and temperature.

Abstract: Dye spring protection system which employs a substantially circular member between each yarn package being dyed and allows the dye packages to abut one another but at the same time protects the ends of the dye spring. The dye spring protector has an internal groove therein to accommodate the top and bottom of a dye spring during dyeing of yarn wound on the spring.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided in a system for continuously feeding disparate materials into a compounding extruder for the inline sheet extrusion of a highly filled thermoplastic material having at least about 65 percent by weight of filler. The apparatus and method of the present invention are particularly suitable in conjunction with the continuous lamination of the inline sheet extruder product with carpet.

Abstract: A game using a deck of cards to generate and preserve a random sequence of number pairs which simulate roll of two die. On the front and back of each card, a number is represented. The numbers represented on the front and back of each card are independent of each other. Each number is represented on the cards in the deck the same number of times as is any other number represented on the cards in the deck. The number of cards in the deck is a whole multiple of the largest number represented by any of the cards in the deck. In duplicate backgammon and other games which normally involve dice, the largest number is 6.

Abstract: A solar heater including a housing having a transparent front wall for passing incident solar radiation, a radiation absorbent collector element positioned in the housing and arranged to accept incident solar radiation passing through the front wall, means for passing a fluid medium to be heated through the housing in heat transfer relationship with the collector element and a transparent heat trap disposed in the housing between the collector element and the front wall. The heat trap is made from a cellular structure containing a multiplicity of adjacent cells having walls which are integrally formed with the walls of other cells in one continuous piece from a thermoformable material. The thermoformable material used for the heat trap may be glass or a clear plastic composition which is opaque to infrared radiation emitted from the collector element.

Abstract: A solar heater including a housing having a combined transparent front wall and heat trap, a radiation absorbent collector element positioned in the housing and arranged to accept incident solar radiation passing through the front wall, and means for passing a fluid medium to be heated through the housing in heat transfer relationship with the collector element. The combined front wall and heat trap are integrally formed in one piece from glass or a clear plastic composition which is opaque to infrared radiation emitted from the collector element.

Abstract: A solar air heater including a housing having a transparent front wall and an inlet and outlet for establishing a flow path for a gas such as air to be heated and a porous radiation absorbent collector plate positioned across the flow path and arranged to accept incident solar radiation passing through the front wall wherein a radiation trap is placed inside the housing either adjacent to the front wall, directly on top of the collector plate or between the collector plate and the front wall. The radiation trap has a cellular structure such as honeycomb and is made from a material which is light-transmitting but opaque to infrared radiation emitted from the collector plate in a direction toward the front wall. When the radiation trap is placed adjacent to the front wall the trap can additionally serve as an air buffer layer. In this instance, however, the radiation trap must be maintained in at least firm mechanical contact with the front wall and preferably the trap is actually bonded to the front wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to adjustably control the tension of yarn by the application of a magnetic force on a metallic ball or roller being used to apply a restrictive force on the yarn passing through a tension applying device.

Abstract: Apparatus to adjustably support a yarn tension control between a knitting machine and the yarn creel which is supplying yarn to the knitting machine.