Abstract: In an insect lure and trap, a system for generating a carbon dioxide attractant has a combustion chamber in which carbon dioxide is generated by means of an exothermic reaction from a gaseous fuel rich in carbon. A container contains a pressurized supply of said fuel and a supply line connects said container to said combustion chamber. A normally closed valve is included in said supply line. The system includes means for sensing the temperature in said combustion chamber and for generating a control signal representative of said temperature. A controller responsive to said control signal compares said temperature to a reference temperature and opens said valve during selected segments of successive equal time intervals.

Abstract: An insect lure and trap system includes a valve that receives a gaseous fuel, and provides a regulated flow of gaseous fuel. The regulated flow of gaseous fuel is input to an exothermic reactor that generates carbon dioxide to attract insects to a predetermined region, where a generated airflow forces insects within the predetermined region into a container. A temperature sensor senses the temperature of the carbon dioxide and provides a carbon dioxide temperature signal indicative thereof to a controller, which generates a valve command signal that regulates the valve in response to the carbon dioxide temperature signal. Advantageously, operating closed loop on catalyst temperature (i.e., gas temperature measured at the catalyst) allows for a more efficient use of the fuel, which is used to generate the CO2 attractant.

Abstract: An obstacle detection system includes an acoustic piezoelectric transducer capable of radiating and receiving ultrasonic energy. During a BIT transmission period, a controller briefly enables a transmit circuit which provides an AC transmit signal that induces oscillatory motion in a piezoelectric element within the transducer. At the end of BIT transmission period the controller disables the transmit circuit and begins BIT receive period operation. Once the transmit circuit is disabled, the oscillatory motion of the piezoelectric element begins to dampen out causing the transducer to generate and provide a vibration generated signal which is input to a receive circuit which detects the presence of the vibration generated signal and provides received status signal indicative thereof. If the vibration generated signal is not present during this period, a system fault exists and the controller notifies the system user.

Abstract: A radar system which detects the presence of objects in the proximity of a movable vehicle includes a signal source which generates object detection signals, a first antenna which transmits the object detection signals and receives the object detection signals as reflected signals reflected from an object in the proximity of the movable vehicle. The first antenna is further operable for receiving non-reflected test signals. A second antenna is provided for transmitting test signals which correspond to a delayed portion of the object detection signal generated by the signal source. A control unit is responsive to the reception of the reflected signals for providing an indication of the detection of the object, and is responsive to the reception of the test signals for providing an indication of the operability of the system.

Abstract: An insect attracting and killing device employs a translucently diffused light source to attract insects and operates in conjunction with a fan-driven air flow to draw the thus attracted insects inwardly into contact with an electrically charged grid.

Abstract: An object detection system and method for detecting the presence of objects in the path of a vehicle, and in which includes a self test operation. The system includes a transmitter which transmits object detection signals and a receiver which receives reflections of the transmitted object detection signals. A controller is provided for adjusting the gain and signal threshold of the receiver so that the receiver initially is able to detect reflections from irregularities in the ground surface. Once the receiver receives a signal reflected from the ground surface, an indication is provided that the system is in a ready or operable state. Thereafter, the controller adjusts the receiver gain and signal detection threshold so that signals reflected from the ground surface are effectively ignored and only signals reflected from significant objects in the path of the vehicle are detected. An alarm signal is generated in response to the receiver receiving signals reflected from the object.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting the presence of objects in the path of the end portion of a movable vehicle are disclosed. A vehicle mounted transmitter transmits bursts of ultrasonic object detection signals. A receiver also mounted on the vehicle receives not only a direct signal from the transmitter, but also signals reflected from objects in the path of the movable vehicle. The transmitter and receiver are mounted on the end portion of the vehicle so that they constitute the foci of an elliptical path defining the loci of all points of signal reflection having the same total transit time of signal from the transmitter to a reflecting object and back to the receiver. The elliptical path of the loci of the closest detectable objects preferably encompasses substantially the entire end portion of the movable vehicle.

Abstract: An electrocuting grid for an electronic insect trap, wherein first and second circular electrically conductive carrier members are arranged concentrically in an axially spaced relationship to define a cylindrical zone therebetween. First and second electrodes respectively extend laterally from the first and second carrier members into the cylindrical zone. The first and second electrodes are arranged circumferentially in a mutually spaced alternating sequence, with their ends spaced respectively from the second and first carrier members. Dielectric strand material interconnects the first and second electrodes. The invention also encompasses a method for fabricating the electrocuting grid which includes a plurality of steps performed on a strip of electrically conductive sheet material.

Abstract: A shredder has a container enclosing a chamber. A shredding mechanism is rotatably mounted in the chamber and is driven by an exteriorly located motor. A loading port is provided in the container through which the material to be shredded may be received in the chamber. The arrangement of the loading port in relation to the shredding mechanism is such that the thus received material will drop under the influence of gravity onto and be shredded by the shredding mechanism. The shredded material exits through a discharge port underlying the shredding mechanism.

Abstract: An insect killing device has an electrically powered light source surrounded by an electrically conductive grid, the light source and grid being enclosed within a dielectric housing having a side wall which is closed at its upper end by an impervious top and which defines an open port at its lower end. The light source and the grid are energizable by an electric AC power source external to the housing via electric circuit components located in the housing. The side wall has an array of openings through which insects attracted by the energized light source may pass to come into contact with and be electrocuted by the energized grid. The grid is supported on a dielectric carrier and is separably connected to the electric circuit components.

Abstract: An apparatus for attracting insects to an insect trapping device. The apparatus includes: a source of combustible fluid; a burner communicating with the fluid source for igniting the fluid in an exothermic reaction generating carbon dioxide, moisture and heat; and a catalyst for catalytically sustaining the reaction.

Abstract: A housing is disclosed for an insect killing assembly of the type having an elongated light source protruding downwardly from a mounting shelf. The light source is surrounded by an electrically conductive grid supported by legs depending from the lower surface of said shelf. The light source and the grid are energized by an A.C. source via circuit components including a voltage augmenting transformer carried on the top surface of the shelf. The housing includes an open-ended enclosure surrounding the insect killing assembly. The enclosure is defined by a pair of separable half-sections which are each provided with an array of holes through which insects may pass as they are attracted by the light source onto the energized grid. A removable base closes the lower end of the enclosure. A one-piece water impervious cover is detachably mounted to the upper end of the enclosure. The cover cooperates with the half sections and the mounting shelf to isolate the circuit components from external moisture.

Abstract: An electrically powered log splitter has a frame carrying a pair of mutually spaced fixed splitting components with a carriage mounted movable splitting component movable in opposite directions therebetween. A reversible electric drive motor is mechanically connected to the carriage to propel the carriage in opposite directions. A control switch is electrically connected between a power source and the drive motor. The switch has a first closed setting at which the drive motor is energized to move the carriage and its movable splitting component in one direction toward one of the fixed splitting components, a second closed setting at which the drive motor is energized to move the carriage and its movable splitting component in the opposite direction towards the other of the fixed splitting components, and a third normally open setting at which the drive motor is deenergized to halt movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A double acting log splitter has a longitudinally extending frame with a pair of mutually spaced fixed splitting components located along the length thereof. A movable splitting component is mounted on a carriage which is movable in opposite directions along the length of the frame between the fixed splitting components. The movable splitting component is arranged to coact with either of the stationary splitting components to split a log placed longitudinally therebetween. The carriage is driven in opposite directions by an operating mechanism which includes a nut carried by the carriage for movement therewith and a screw having one end fixed axially by and rotatably supported in bearings located at one end of the frame. The screw extends through the nut in threaded engagement therewith, with the opposite end of the screw preferably extending in an unsupported cantilever fashion beyond the nut and carriage.