Abstract: A horticultural luminaire includes a first and second horticultural light sources to provide growth lighting to a plant at a first and second wavelengths. A control unit provides first lighting control signals to the first horticultural light source to modulate the first growth lighting and provides second lighting control signals to the second horticultural light source to modulate the second growth lighting. A LiDAR sensor is connected to the lighting control unit to receive the first and second control signals, and having optics to detect reflected first and second growth lighting to determine the distance from plant to sensor and a biometric property of the plant from the received first and second control signals and detected first and second reflected second growth lighting. In some implementations the LiDAR sensor and first and second horticultural light sources are integrated into the horticultural luminaire.

Abstract: A gardening apparatus includes one or more of a base, a fluid reservoir, and a plant tray or support disposed on the reservoir. The support is adapted for receiving one or more modular plant inserts, and can define a flow structure for channeling fluid to each insert. A pump supplies fluid from the reservoir to the plant tray or support, with a light assembly adapted to generate a spectrum of light for growth of plants from the inserts. A processor is configured for controlling fluid flow from the pump, the light spectrum generated by the lighting elements, or both. For example, the processor can use a dynamic recipe, algorithm or control schedule to modulate the fluid flow or spectrum based the plant type, growth stage, height, plant health data, digital phenotyping data, or ambient conditions, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A system for administering a fluid to a tree. The fluid can be water, coloring agents, insecticides, fungicides, nutrients, plant growth regulators and herbicides. The system also includes a pressurizable container containing the fluid and a low pressure gas. The pressurizable container is attached to a manifold. Additionally, an infusion nozzle is attached to the manifold and configured to provide attachment of the system to a tree for an extended period of time ranging from weeks to months. The system also can, optionally, include an infusion control valve configured to regulate the flow of fluid from the container, through the manifold, through the infusion nozzle and into the tree. The infusion nozzle has threads that provide direct attachment to the tree.

Abstract: An insertable planter system may include a container and an insert. A container may include a rim, an outer wall comprising an inner surface, a bottom portion comprising a floor, wherein the inner surface and floor may define a liquid reservoir. The floor may further include a positioning structure. An insert may include a lip, a sidewall, and a bottom. The sidewall and bottom may define a plant chamber. The insert may further include a complementary supporting structure, such that the container receives the insert so that the insert can be rotated into a suitable orientation where the complementary supporting structure of the insert engages the positioning structure of the container. A plant delivery method or system including such inserts, and a computer readable medium containing instructions for same.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber, a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods, and a sealed system for regulating chamber temperature. A controller is configured for operating the sealed system to maintain the grow chamber at a grow temperature, obtaining a scheduled harvest time, determining a chill cycle including a predetermined chill time and a pre-harvest chill temperature based at least in part on the scheduled harvest time, and operating the sealed system to implement the chill cycle by regulating a chamber temperature to the pre-harvest chill temperature during the predetermined chill time.

Abstract: A hydroponic growing apparatus may include a housing, a water reservoir, and a lighting system. The housing may include a bottom surface and an open top surface. The apparatus may also include a pump, the pump comprising an inlet and an outlet, and a sprayer coupled to the outlet of the pump. Also, the apparatus may include a support structure configured to fit into an open top surface of the housing. The support structure may define a plurality of openings. The apparatus may include at least one cover plate configured to fit over the support structure in the open top surface of the housing.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an aircraft operable to generate a variable thrust output at a constant rotational speed. The rotor assembly includes a mast rotatable at the constant speed about a mast axis. A rotor hub is coupled to and rotatable with the mast. The rotor hub includes a plurality of spindle grips extending generally radially outwardly. Each of the spindle grips is coupled to one of a plurality of rotor blades and is operable to rotate therewith about a pitch change axis. A collective pitch control mechanism is coupled to and rotatable with the rotor hub. The collective pitch control mechanism is operably associated with each spindle grip such that actuation of the collective pitch control mechanism rotates each spindle grip about the respective pitch change axis to collectively control the pitch of the rotor blades, thereby generating the variable thrust output.

Abstract: A plant grower includes a base, an upper cover having a surface parallel to an upper surface of the base, the upper cover being disposed above the base so as to be spaced apart from the upper surface of the base, a plurality of growing panels disposed along the circumference of the upper surface of the base, the plurality of growing panels being rotatably disposed at the base and the upper cover, and a lighting bar extending vertically upwards from the center of the upper surface of the base to the upper cover, the lighting bar emitting light in a direction in which the plurality of growing panels is disposed, and a plurality of growing holders, into each of which a plant is inserted, disposed at one surface of each of the plurality of growing panels.

Abstract: The present invention features an elegantly-mounted pinwheel comprising alternating holographic red and silver non-metallic tape-like material. The pinwheel uses connector bolts and hexagonal coupling nuts to be mounted or positioned directly onto various components of a power pole or utility pole system such as bushings, fuse cutouts, regulators, reclosures, lightning arresters, or underground primary dips. The invention will deter animals such as birds and squirrels from scaling or landing on the power pole or utility pole system when the invention is properly mounted. The invention takes advantage of the alternating colors of the pinwheel to scare the animals. The present invention requires no housing, rotors, drums, or support plates. The invention does not rely on sound, and it requires no electricity or motor. The stainless steel hex standoff coupling nut comes preferably in ?? and can be ordered in different sizes to accommodate the device.

Abstract: A hydroponic growing system is presented. The system can include multiple growing trays in a vertical arrangement, where a pump supplies the top-most tray and each lower tray is supplied by the overlying tray, and where the plumbing elements for supply and drainage are arranged to one side of the system. The system includes variations to support different crop types within the same system, including removable growing structures for root vegetable, microgreens and supports for vining crops. The system can monitor and adjust the nutrients and other features of the systems water profile to concurrently group multiple crops in differing developing stages.

Abstract: A seal arrangement includes a first outer skin and a second outer skin disposed about an axial centerline. The second outer skin is adjacent the first outer skin and includes at least one door. A bulkhead extends substantially radially at least a portion of a distance between the axial centerline and one of the first outer skin and the second outer skin. A first outer frame includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion of the first outer frame is mounted to the bulkhead. A seal is mounted to one of the at least one door and the second portion. The at least one door is rotatable between a first position and a second position. In the second position the seal contacts the at least one door and the second portion. The third portion is configured to limit a compression of the seal.

Abstract: A hydroponic produce display apparatus for in-store and market display of plants is provided. The hydroponic produce display apparatus comprises a basin for holding a volume of liquid with an opening formed in the basin. A hydroponic container is provided having a first end and a second end with the first end of the hydroponic container cooperates with the opening in the basin and the plants growing within the hydroponic containers. An irrigation mechanism moves liquid from the basin to the second end of the hydroponic container wherein harvested hydroponic containers are exchanged with harvested containers.

Abstract: An aircraft has a vertical takeoff and landing fight mode and a forward flight mode. The aircraft includes an airframe with first and second M-wings having first and second pylons extending therebetween, each M-wing forming a pair of leading apexes with swept forward and swept back portions extending therefrom at a swept angle. A propulsion system includes a plurality of propulsion assemblies each attached to the airframe proximate one of the leading apexes. Each of the propulsion assemblies includes a rotor assembly having a tilting degree of freedom. A flight control system is operable to control the propulsion assemblies including tilting the rotor assemblies to generate variable thrust vectors. In the vertical takeoff and landing fight mode, the aircraft operates responsive to thrust-borne lift from the propulsion system. In the forward flight mode, the aircraft operates responsive to wing-borne lift in a biplane orientation.

Abstract: A package delivery apparatus of a vehicle may include a servo, a servo arm rotated by the servo, a latch that rotates responsive to rotation of the servo arm, and a rod and slider that moves responsive to rotation of the servo arm. The components of the package delivery apparatus may move between a plurality of positions, including a loading position, a locking position, a sensing position, and a release position. The rotation of the latch may control loading, locking, sensing, and release of a package within a package path of the vehicle, and the movement of the rod and slider may control movement of a door assembly of the vehicle between open and closed positions.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to modular grow boxes for growing microgreens and other plants. The modular grow boxes generally include a first modular element having a plate and one or more walls extending therefrom to form a chamber, a second modular element having a platform for supporting a growth medium, and a third modular element that can act as a cover and/or base. The first, second, and third modular elements can be assembled in a first configuration that provides a generally enclosed area for growing plants during a germination phase. The first, second, and third modular elements can also be assembled in a second configuration that provides a partially exposed area for growing plants during a post-germination phase. In some embodiments, the modular grow boxes provide a self-contained, self-watering apparatus that is expected to simplify the process of growing microgreens and other plants.

Abstract: A pet waste collection system includes a multi-layered pad configured to lay flat on a surface and having a top layer to be an absorbent layer; and a ground layer to be a leak-proof layer; a drawstring integrated into the ground layer; and pull tabs attached to the drawstring; a user may pull the plurality of pull tabs in an opposing direction causing the drawstring to tighten to collect pet waste within the multi-layered pad.

Abstract: In an agricultural product, a seed is contained within a composite coating. The composite coating has successive layers, and one or more of the layers can include fertilizer, a binder, and/or lime.

Abstract: A bed system is disclosed. The bed system may include a perimeter support and associated bedding and may be used by a person or an animal. The bedding may include an upper cavity to receive the support and a lower portion configured with a perimeter zipper. By closing the zipper, the support transitions from a linear configuration to an arc-shaped configuration defining the perimeter of the bed. The inner region of the bed comprises soft ruffled material formed by the gathered lower portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are an intelligent separation and drying system for maggots and a method of operating the same. The intelligent separation and drying system includes an intelligent light control unit, an intelligent scraping unit, a separation unit, a drying unit, a travelling unit and a central control unit. The central control unit is connected to other units through signals. Multidisciplinary techniques, including spectrum analysis, machine learning algorithm and artificial neural network, are combined to automatically, systematically, intelligently and continuously separate maggots and maggot feed as well as dry the maggots with high efficiency in a clean manner.

Abstract: A protective head cover for an animal has a first cover portion adjustably fastenable around the neck of the animal and a second closed curvilinear cover portion with a tangential edge which attaches to the first cover portion, and tapering outward sections on either side of the tangential edge. A first fastener part is located on the first cover portion and near the tangential edge of the second cover portion. The first fastener part being can be attached to a second fastener part on the second cover portion. The first and the second fastener parts can be adjustably fastened to each other so as to vary an amount of overlap between the first and the second cover portions.