Abstract: A self-tuning resonator for use in a transmitter apparatus for inducing alternating currents in a buried conductor. The resonator is dynamically tuned at frequencies below 500 kHz by exploiting the inherent voltage-variability of net capacitance in multilayer ceramic capacitors. The transmitter apparatus provides improved efficiency and induced output power suitable for use in a man-portable locator system, providing a very high magnetic field output from a physically small battery-powered resonator at frequencies under 500 kHz. The resonator exhibits a very low equivalent series resistance (ESR) and is adaptively returned to a predetermined resonant frequency responsive to any changes in resonance arising from phenomena such as component heating, thereby supporting very high tank circuit currents from battery-powered source to produce very high magnetic flux output.

Abstract: A plurality of receptacles in an irrigation controller removably receive a plurality of modules. At least one station module is configured for insertion into a first one of the receptacles and is connectable to a corresponding solenoid actuated valve through a dedicated field valve line and common return line. The station module includes at least one switching device for selectively providing a first power signal that energizes the corresponding solenoid actuated valve. At least one encoder module is configured for insertion into a second one of the receptacles and is connectable to a multi-wire path for sending encoded signals and a second power signal along the multi-wire path for selectively energizing one of a plurality of solenoid actuated valves connected to corresponding decoder circuits connected along the multi-wire path. A processor executes the stored watering program and controls the station module and/or the encoder module in accordance with the stored watering program.

Abstract: A processor is connected by a bus to a plurality of station modules, each station module being connected to a corresponding valve and having a micro-controller. The processor executes a stored watering program and controls the station modules in accordance with the program. Messages are bi-directionally sent and received over the bus that are generated by the processor and the micro-controllers. Each message contains an identification field with an instruction that describes a meaning of the message. The processor and the micro-controllers each interpret the messages received thereby and perform predetermined functions in response thereto.

Abstract: A modular expandable irrigation controller has rotary, slide, lever, bayonet, screw, cam, hard, over-center, fork or push-pull locks for positively securing station modules in receptacles, individually or simultaneously.

Abstract: An irrigation controller includes inputs for entry or selection of a watering program and a memory capable of storing the watering program. A plurality of station modules are removably received in a plurality of corresponding receptacles. Each station module includes a station module circuit for switching a source of electrical power to open and close at least one of a plurality of valves. A processor is connectable to the station modules when the station modules are inserted into the receptacles. The processor is capable of executing the watering program and sending commands to the station module circuits to open and close the valves in accordance with the watering program. A manually actuable mechanism allows a power signal to be applied to each station module circuit after the station modules have been inserted into their corresponding receptacles.

Abstract: A sonde includes an elongate flexible ferromagnetic core and a coil surrounds an intermediate segment of the core. A housing surrounds and supports the coil. An electronic drive circuit is mounted in the housing for supplying the coil with an electric signal that will induce the core to emit electromagnetic signals at a predetermined strength and frequency that can be remotely detected. Self-contained battery powered float-type and pill-type sondes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A plurality of receptacles in an irrigation controller removably receive a plurality of modules. At least one station module is configured for insertion into a first one of the receptacles and is connectable to a corresponding solenoid actuated valve through a dedicated field valve line and common return line. The station module includes at least one switching device for selectvely providing a first power signal that energizes the corresponding solenoid actuated valve. At least one encoder module is configured for insertion into a second one of the receptacles and is connectable to a multi-wire path for sending encoded signals and a second power signal along the multi-wire path for selectively energizing one of a plurality of solenoid actuated valves connected to corresponding decoder circuits connected along the multi-wire path. A processor executes the stored watering program and controls the station module and/or the encoder module in accordance with the stored watering program.

Abstract: A blind locating system for finding and tracing buried objects such as utility lines, conductive pipes and sondes. A sensor array is coupled to a signal processor, which determines a field vector for one or more buried objects by producing a data signal representing a covariance matrix corresponding to the covariances of the time-varying sensor array signals over a selected frequency band and accumulation interval. The covariance matrix is characterized by eigenvalues and associated eigenvectors and a user interface (UI) indicates the field vector associated with the eigenvector having the largest eigenvalue. Using several different frequency bands, a plurality of underground objects may be simultaneously detected and indicated in the UI without foreknowledge of their existence or characteristics.

Abstract: A plurality of receptacles in an irrigation controller removably receive a plurality of modules. At least one station module is configured for insertion into a first one of the receptacles and is connectable to a corresponding solenoid actuated valve through a dedicated field valve line and common return line. The station module includes at least one switching device for selectvely providing a first power signal that energizes the corresponding solenoid actuated valve. At least one encoder module is configured for insertioninto a second one of the receptacles and is connectable to a multi-wire path for sending encoded signals and a second power signal along the multi-wire path for selectively energizing one of a plurality of solenoid actuated valves connected to corresponding decoder circuits connected along the multi-wire path. A processor executes the stored watering program and controls the station module and/or the encoder module in accordance with the stored watering program.

Abstract: A diver's suit, survival suit, or a suit worn to protect a worker from hazardous materials is provided with releasable water-tight seals around the wrists, ankles and/or neck. Each releasable water-tight seal includes first and second complementary shaped annular interlocking seal members preferably extruded from a first polymeric material. Gaskets made of a second softer polymeric material may be co-extruded with the first polymeric material and are compressed when the seal members are mated in order to enhance the impermeability of the resulting seal to liquids or gases.

Abstract: A closet flange is provided for coupling the base of a toilet to a drain pipe. A main generally cylindrical body portion is dimensioned for connection to the upper end of a drain pipe and has a through bore for communicating with the interior of the drain pipe. An attachment flange portion extends radially outward from an upper end of the cylindrical body portion and is configured for connecting to the base of a toilet. A knockout temporarily seals the through bore and is removable by breaking away a peripheral edge of the knockout. A retainer extends radially inward from an inner wall of the cylindrical portion below the knockout and is configured to prevent the knockout from falling down the through bore and into the drain pipe when broken away in order to prevent drain clogging.

Abstract: A thru-hull fitting assembly is connected to the forward end of a hollow lamp housing for mounting to a hole in the hull of a vessel in a water-tight fashion. An HID or other lamp is mounted in the lamp housing and is surrounded by a reflector which may have an outer elliptical section and an inner parabolic section. A protective transparent window extends across the forward end of the lamp housing and is sealed thereto. The window may be made of sapphire to provide improved heat dissipation and to resist scratching during hull cleaning and breakage due to thermal shock and wave slap. A circuit may be connected to the lamp to provide over-heat protection, leak detection, as well as fault and power status indicators. Alternate embodiments utilize a solid light pipe or a hollow reflective tube to convey light from the lamp to the protective window.

Abstract: A Pelton type turbine is mounted in a riser of a pop-up sprinkler for rotation about a horizontal axis and drives a central bevel pinion gear through a gear train reduction. Upper and lower bevel gears supported on a vertical drive shaft are simultaneously driven in opposite directions by the central bevel pinion gear. A clutch slides up and down along the drive shaft to engage radially extending teeth formed on its upper and lower sides with complementary teeth formed on the upper and lower bevel gears. One end of a yoke is coupled to the clutch and the other end is moved vertically by an over-center mechanism to shift the direction of rotation of a nozzle turret connected to the upper end of the drive shaft. The over-center mechanism is tripped back and forth by a shift disc engaged by a pair of tabs of a turret coupling assembly.

Abstract: At least one antenna array including three mutually orthogonal antennas each sharing a common center point senses an electromagnetic signal emitted by a buried object such as a utility line, pipe or sonde. A circuit at least partially mounted in a housing is connected to the array and determines a location of the buried object by measuring signal strength and field angles in three dimensions without having to align the antenna array relative to the buried object while eliminating nulls and false peaks. A graphical user interface (GUI) has user-friendly icons, symbols, menus, numbers and graphical and auditory representation of signal strength. A SEARCH view indicates signal strength by showing a rotating strength indicator, a trace mode MAP view in which line location is shown by a line that moves side-to-side, and a sonde mode MAP view in which sonde location is shown by a moving line, pole and equator.

Abstract: A disc screen apparatus for classifying a stream of mixed recyclable materials of various sizes and shapes, including newspaper, clean mixed paper, magazines, plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, cans, and the like. The apparatus has an inclined fixed first disc screen section and an inclined articulating second disc screen section whose angle of inclination can be independently adjusted via a hydraulic cylinder or other angular adjustment mechanism in order to improve the separation of newspaper and/or clean mixed paper without impairing the ability of the fixed disc screen section to separate mixed containers. The first and second disc screen sections are supported by first and second frames that carry the parallel driven shafts and discs that form the disc screen sections. The frames have complementary mating surfaces that limit the range of articulation of the second disc screen section.

Abstract: A rain sensor for use with an irrigation control system includes a position sensing element. A moisture absorptive element is supported for receiving rainfall. An actuating element is mechanically connected to the moisture absorptive element for movement adjacent the position sensing element as the moisture absorptive element expands and contracts to thereby induce a change in the position sensing element that can be used to generate an interrupt signal without any mechanical connection between the moisture absorptive element and the position sensing element.

Abstract: An exterior portion of the nozzle with a top side viewable from above the turf or ground surface mates with a base portion of the nozzle to define a nozzle orifice and a flow path leading to the nozzle orifice. The base portion has at least one projection that extends through an aperture in the exterior portion and provides an indication that is visible when viewing the top side and that represents a water distribution pattern and/or flow rate of the nozzle orifice. The exterior portion of the nozzle defines an inner arc section of the nozzle orifice and the base portion of the nozzle defines an outer arc section of the nozzle orifice that is radially spaced from the inner arc section. An improved water distribution pattern is achieved without the spikes and voids associated with conventional spray nozzle orifices.

Abstract: A resilient, flexible video push cable is coiled in a stack of coils inside an annular portion of a non-rotating cable storage drum. A video camera head is electro-mechanically connected to a distal end of the push cable. A display is connected to a system interconnect cable which is in turn connected to a proximal end of the push cable. While the drum is held stationary, the push cable can be unwound from its main annular portion and the camera head pushed down a length of pipe. This unwinding of the push cable is facilitated by routing it through a centrally located frusto-conical guide portion of the drum. The video camera head can be pulled out of the pipe, and the push cable can be manually re-inserted through the guide portion to facilitate re-forming of the stack of coils within the main annular portion of the drum.

Abstract: A plurality of contact rings are supported in spaced relation on a cylindrical body about a common axis. A housing is located adjacent the contact rings and is configured to permit relative rotation between the contact rings and the housing about the common axis. A plurality of contact brushes each have a proximal end connected to a printed circuit board (PCB). A distal end of each of the contact brushes is slidably engaged with a corresponding one of the contact rings. Optionally a signal generating portion of a position encoder may be mounted on the PCB. The position encoder has a reference portion that is mounted on the cylindrical body.

Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler includes a head having a first water outlet passage that communicates with a nozzle receiving socket. A nozzle is slidably mounted in the nozzle receiving socket. The nozzle includes a hollow support body defining a second water outlet passage that communicates with the first water outlet passage. The nozzle also includes a portion obstructing the second water passage and defining a nozzle orifice. The nozzle also includes a cantilevered pry flange that extends in a lateral direction from an outer end of the support body. The pry flange has a portion that terminates short of a wall of the nozzle receiving socket to create a gap sized for ready insertion of a tool to facilitate removal of the nozzle from the nozzle receiving socket. The sprinkler includes conventional structure for supplying the first water outlet passage of the head with pressurized water.