Abstract: Systems and methods of prioritizing the use of flight attitude controls of aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a biplane orientation. A method includes determining an optimal flight attitude state for the aircraft during flight, the aircraft including first and second wings with first and second pylons coupled therebetween forming an airframe with a two-dimensional distributed thrust array and a plurality of aerosurfaces coupled to the airframe; monitoring the current flight attitude state of the aircraft; identifying deviations between the current flight attitude state and the optimal flight attitude state; ordering the flight attitude controls of the aircraft based upon the flight attitude control authority of each in the current flight attitude state; and implementing the highest order flight attitude control to bias the aircraft from the current flight attitude state toward the optimal flight attitude state.

Abstract: An apiary system includes a platform having a top surface on which one or more beehives are secured, the platform having a floatation device incorporated into the platform; one or more anchoring poles inserted into the ground, the one or more anchoring poles engage with the platform such that the platform can rise and lower along an axis of the one or more anchoring poles; the platform rises above rising water via the one or more anchoring poles.

Abstract: A live bait zip tie is an apparatus used to bridle-rig a hook to a bait fish. The apparatus is configured to hold the hook in position, so that the hook cannot rotate or swivel. The apparatus includes a prong, a ratchet band, a hook-bracing fixture, a band-receiving head, and a pawl. The prong allows the user to puncture through a bait fish. The ratchet band engages with the pawl to tighten the apparatus against a bait fish. The hook-bracing fixture allows a hook to secure against the body of a bait fish. The band-receiving head allows for connection of the prong and ratchet band. The pawl is a unidirectionally biased protrusion that allows for tightening engagement with the ratchet band. This configuration allows the apparatus to bridle-rig a hook to a bait fish so that the hook does not move during fishing activity.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for treating and/or helping prevent microbial infections on plants and trees by applying a treatment solution to cut areas of the plants or trees that have been exposed during a hedging or topping operation, or the like. The method can include providing a liquid application system including treatment liquid, wherein the liquid application system is integrated with at least one of a motorized hedging and/or topping vehicle, wherein the liquid application dispenses the treatment liquid at a controlled rate of flow from the one or more nozzles and the treatment liquid is applied directly and uniformly from the one or more nozzles on the second boom to the one or more cut areas at the controlled rate of flow.

Abstract: An aircraft with an airframe and at least one thrust producing unit the at least one thrust producing unit being electrically powered by an associated electrical engine that is electrically connected to an electrical energy source via an electrical energy distribution system, wherein the airframe comprises at least one load carrying section and at least one propulsion system carrying section, wherein the at least one load carrying section and the at least one propulsion system carrying section are segregated from each other, wherein the at least one load carrying section is provided for transportation of passengers and/or cargo, and wherein the at least one propulsion system carrying section is provided for carrying at least essentially the electrical energy source and the electrical energy distribution system.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an egg collecting device for black soldier flies and its oviposition plate set, comprising at least two oviposition plates which can be reused; the oviposition plates are positioned in an overlapping manner, and a gap is provided between surfaces of adjacent oviposition plates for the oviposition of black soldier flies. The egg collecting device for black soldier flies comprises a box containing oviposition-inducing material, a screen board, and the oviposition plate mentioned above; the box containing oviposition-inducing material is covered with the screen board, and the oviposition plate set is provided on the screen board. The present invention could simulate an oviposition environment according to the oviposition habits of black soldier flies, and it better induces of the oviposition of black soldier flies, providing a good foundation for large-scale, commercial oviposition of black soldier flies.

Abstract: A splash-guard system; the splash-guard system includes a guard-member, a base-member, and a mat. The splash-guard system is useful for confining splashes or spills from a pet bowl to the splash-guard system such that a pet owner does not need to regularly clean the surrounding area of the pet bowl when a pet makes a mess when feeding. The splash-guard system serves to prevent constant cleaning and damage to the surrounding floor and walls.

Abstract: A secondary flight control system comprising: a first flight control surface system; a second flight control surface system; and a power distribution unit operably connected to the first flight control surface system and the second flight control surface system, wherein the power distribution unit is configured to generate torque to actuate the first flight control surface system and the second flight control surface system.

Abstract: A system for treating livestock may include a ramp for containing dairy livestock and one or more mobile units configured to travel on the ramp, below the dairy livestock, and milk the dairy livestock. A mobile unit may be adapted to travel to a predefined location within a stall, and attach a milking equipment unit to the dairy livestock in the stall. A plurality of mobile units and a central management unit may be configured to dynamically cause at least some of the plurality of mobile units to each perform a portion of a treatment or task.

Abstract: A platform bird feeder including a base platform with a seed tray, a baffle and a center pole having a bottom end connected the tray, the baffle being tiltably and adjustably mounted to the pole above the base. Preferably, the seed tray has a seed protecting grate to hinder squirrels from accessing the seed in the tray. The height of the baffle above the seed tray may be adjusted up and down to allow the user to increase and decrease the seed access space, respectively, between the baffle and the tray. When the baffle is at a desired height, it is secured in place by an adjustable securing mechanism that, while holding the baffle at the desired height, allows the baffle to tilt or wobble when sufficient weight is placed on one side of the baffle.

Abstract: A leash for training canines to walk beside a handler. The leash includes a single webbing strap that is folded over to provide a hand loop. The hand loop and/or strap length may be sized via a cord lock. Each of the ends of the webbing strap are folded and affixed into leg loops. The leg loops may be variably sized, and placed over the animal's hock. The leash is mounted to the animal via a slidably engaging bolt snap to a collar or harness.

Abstract: A supporting device having a curved support surface elevated above a base and angled with respect to the base, such as for the support of an animal. The support surface may be elevated above the base by an adjustable stanchion so that it can accommodate animals of different sizes. The angled support surface may be fixedly or pivotally attached to the stanchion so that it may accommodate the sloped abdomen of the animal. The support surface may be designed to have a small sagitta so that it provides unobstructed access to the sides of the animal being supported. The base may be designed and configured to have a dog-bone shaped outline. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: Cryo-sprouts are germinated, grown and shipped in the same covered container with reduced numbers of pathogenic organisms. Seeds are placed on a membrane in the container with sufficient water. The container with the seeds is incubated at a pathogen antagonistic temperature during the growth phase. The pathogen antagonistic temperature is preferably between about 35° F. and about 45° F. The cryo-sprouts grown according to these methods have reduced numbers of pathogenic organisms, are greener and have an extended shelf-life.

Abstract: A propulsion assembly for an aircraft includes a nacelle having a rapid connection interface, at least one battery disposed within the nacelle, a speed controller coupled to the battery and a propulsion system coupled to the speed controller and the battery. The propulsion system includes an electric motor having an output drive and a rotor assembly having a plurality of rotor blades that are rotatable with the output drive of the electric motor in a rotational plane to generate thrust. The electric motor is operable to rotate responsive to power from the battery at a speed responsive to the speed controller. The rapid connection interface of the nacelle is couplable to a rapid connection interface of an airframe nacelle station to provide structural and electrical connections therebetween that are operable for rapid in-situ assembly.

Abstract: Capture assemblies and compliant extension assemblies may be utilized for insertion into a nozzle of a liquid engine of a spacecraft. The capture assembly may include an apparatus such as a probe for insertion into the nozzle and an assembly at least partially enclosed in a forward portion of the probe. The assembly may include a plurality of actuated fingers for deploying outwardly from the probe when the probe is inserted into the nozzle. The compliant extension assembly may be at least partially enclosed in a housing connected to the capture assembly for axial movement of the probe. The compliant extension assembly may facilitate axial movement of the probe between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the probe is extended forwardly, relative to the housing.

Abstract: A method for aquaculture including a fastener that allows for a float to be easily detached from and securely reattached to an aquaculture cage. The method provides multiple toolless approaches to submerse an aquaculture cage that is buoyant in water when attached with a fastener to a hollow float defining a volume filled with air. The method includes in a first approach, detaching the hollow float from the aquaculture cage by releasing the fastener without using a tool to allow the cage to sink in the water and in a second approach, with the hollow float attached to the aquaculture cage, at least partially filling the float with fluid to fully submerse both the cage and the hollow float beneath a surface of the water.

Abstract: A device having a frame, a grooming unit connected to the frame, a rotatable brush belt within the grooming unit, and a drive operatively connected to the brush belt for rotating the brush belt. The brush belt is held at an angle relative to the skin lying beneath the coat so that hairs of the coat, are brushed away from the skin and preventing jamming of the belt. The device also includes a guard which assists in lifting the hairs of the coat away from the skin and further prevents the hairs from being wrapped around the moving parts of the device. The brush belt is held at an angle relative to the skin by a curved spacer so that loose hairs can be properly suctioned away when the device is in use.

Abstract: A yoke device for a horse having a neck, a back, a barrel, a dock, a withers, a chest, a mane, at least one shoulder, a point of said at least one shoulder, a forearm, and at least one scapula is disclosed. The yoke device comprises a material having a “Y” shape, a belly end, a withers end, and a main body portion. The withers end comprises a pair of elongate strips splaying outwardly from a central point disposed within the main body portion and forming a neck opening therebetween. The pair of elongate strips circumscribe the neck of the horse when the elongate strips are disposed about the neck of the horse. The main body portion overlaps the chest of the horse when the main body portion of the yoke device is disposed in overlapping engagement with the chest of the horse.

Abstract: The present invention is an interchangeable weight assembly adaptable to quickly and easily be placed on a fishing lure for the purpose of increasing and decreasing the fishing weight. The fishing weight of the present invention comprises of a weight body and a connecting member, which provide connectors to connect the fishing weight to the fishing line and fishing lure. The fishing weight body is centrally bored to build a channel in which the connecting member can slidably be inserted and supported tightly therein and be quickly and easily removed by a novel mechanism of the present invention to change the fishing weight to selectively decrease or increase the weight of the fishing lure and the hook.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for providing and operating a valve control module and pressure valves in an assembly line grow pod are provided herein. Some embodiments include an assembly line grow pod having a plurality of fluid lines fluidly coupled between a fluid source and a fluid destination within the assembly line grow pod, a plurality of pressure valves, each coupled to a fluid line such that fluid pressure in the fluid lines is selectively controlled by the pressure valves, and a master controller communicatively coupled to the pressure valves. The master controller is programmed to receive information relating to fluid delivery within the assembly line grow pod, determine one or more pressure valves to direct the fluid, determine pressure valve parameters for each of the pressure valves that achieve the fluid pressurization, and transmit one or more control signals to the pressure valves for pressurizing the fluid within the assembly line grow pod.