Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve locating an algae production facility in close proximity to a livestock production facility whereby the outputs of one or both facilities promotes productivity levels in the facility. In an illustrative example, the algae production facility includes a bioreactor in fluid communication with the atmosphere inside, for example, a poultry facility. In some examples, the atmosphere inside the poultry facility may be around a substantially controlled temperature suitable for poultry. The atmosphere may further contain substantial Nitrogen-content suitable to promote algae growth. Various embodiments may symbiotically consume waste products from each facility to promote production of, for example, protein for food and algae, which may be used for animal feed, for example, and/or processed into fuel. In some examples, the algae production facility may be conveniently packaged into a module. In some examples, the module may be stored and shipped in a conventional shipping container.

Abstract: An LED-based aquarium lighting system having upgradeable control system and a method thereof are provided. The system includes an LED source having a plurality of LED lights, a marine habitat for housing a marine habitat life, a control system which comprises a motherboard, a control panel, and a control module. The control module is replaceable with a new control module to provide upgrades of operational modes and features of the aquarium lighting system. Accordingly, to perform an upgrade of the control system, a user replaces the control module with a new control module by removing the control module from the motherboard and plugging the new control module in the motherboard, thereby readily making upgrades of operational modes and features of the aquarium lighting system without requiring the entire aquarium lighting system be replaced.

Abstract: An air vehicle that is launched from inside a launcher, includes a release mechanism for releasing fins of the vehicle from a stowed condition to a deployed condition. The release mechanism includes a pin that is located within a cavity in the fuselage of the air vehicle. Pressurized gasses initially fill the cavity in the fuselage. The launcher includes a reduced-pressure portion such as from a muzzle brake. When the air vehicle passes into the reduced-pressure portion of the launcher, the gas pressure behind the air vehicle is reduced. This causes the pressurized gas within the cavity to drive the release mechanism backwards out of the cavity. The length of the pin may be used to control the timing of the fin deployment, the delay between the initial movement of the release mechanism out of the cavity, and when the fins are released.

Abstract: A disposable pet garment adapted to trap loose hair and dander from the animal, whereafter the garment is readily disposable and replaceable. The garment comprises a body section providing coverage over a the pet's torso section, a plurality of sleeve projections that extend from the body section and along a majority of each leg, along with a removable line of attachment along the body section adapted to provide securement along the animal's back. The garment itself comprises a lightweight, disposable material that is provided in a form-fitting or loosely-fitted style that is easily deployed onto the pet and easily removed, wherein pet hair and dander is trapped within the garment and discarded after removal. A preferred embodiment utilizes a lightweight polypropylene material for construction, wherein a single formed sheet forms the body section and is sewn to the leg projections.

Abstract: A rotary parlour for milking of animals includes a rotary platform unit and storing devices connected to the platform unit and adapted to hold a number of teat cups in predetermined parking positions. The storing devices are supported by a supporting mechanism comprising an elevating part adapted to move the storing device between an operating position in which the storing device holds at least a part of the parked teat cups at a higher level than the lowest level of the upper surface of the platform unit and a non-operative position in which both the storing device and the parked teat cups are located at a lower level than the lowest level of the upper surface of the platform unit.

Abstract: In one example, a tethered airship system for high altitude long endurance missions includes a first airship configured to be equilibrially buoyant in a first altitude range and a second airship configured to be equilibrially buoyant in a second altitude range, such that the first airship is at least five kilometers above the second airship. The first airship and second airship are connected by a tether.

Abstract: A rope connecting device has a breakaway feature enabling a user to practice roping and to retrieve the rope without having to walk to a lassoed object. The device includes a stem with a first hook formed at one end, and a second hook formed at the other end. The hooks each have a small gap separating respective free ends of the hooks from the stem. During use, a portion of the rope is passed through the first hook, and another portion of the rope is passed the through the second hook. With sufficient force applied to the rope, the rope breaks free from the device. in which one of the hooks opens allowing the rope to separate from the device, thereby releasing the rope from the lassoed object. The device can be reused by reattaching the portion of the rope to the hook that was released.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for mounting a pair of spaced parallel actuators between a wing and a control surface of an aircraft so that the actuators control deployment of the control surface from the wing in tandem. The bearing assembly includes a fixed member for attachment to the aircraft and a movable member attachable to the actuators. The fixed and movable members are coupled via a part-spherical bearing and are configured such that the part-spherical bearing is located in the space between the actuators.

Abstract: A fishing line assembly includes an elastic rope fixedly attached to a non-elastic rope such that a free end of the non-elastic rope extends beyond a free end of the elastic rope. A fishing line is coupled to the non-elastic rope at an end opposite its free end, wherein the free ends of the elastic rope and the non-elastic rope are attached to a rigid portion of a watercraft so that the elastic rope can take up tension in the fishing line as it trails the watercraft. Preferably, the non-elastic rope has a thickness such that it can be handled under tension without cutting one's hands.

Abstract: A debris removal management system and a method of removing space debris. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a frame, (2) a plurality of net sections coupled to the frame and (3) a plurality of microvehicles, coupled to the plurality of net sections, configured to employ propulsion units therein to be ejected relative to the frame to deploy the plurality of net sections, the plurality of net sections cooperating to form a net configured to capture space debris.

Abstract: Vegetative systems are described. In one embodiment, a vegetative system has substantially distinct or separate zones or layers in which each zone or layer performs primarily one of the functions of water retention, a growth medium for vegetation, and weed suppression. An upper may comprise coarse aggregate and serve the primary function of weed suppression; a middle layer may comprise a mixture of coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, and fine organic material and serve primarily as a growth medium for vegetation; and a lower layer may comprise high-density hygroscopic material and serve the primary function of water retention.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus that may be utilized with an aquarium having features and functionality enabling a person to easily access the opening of the aquarium for various purposes such as cleaning and maintenance. According to one embodiment of the invention, the lighting apparatus comprises a plurality of panels; a joint that joins at least two adjacent panels together; and a lighting element disposed on the aquarium lighting apparatus such that the lighting element illuminates a side common to all of the panels. For some embodiments, features of the present invention allow the lighting apparatus to illuminate the aquarium, while limiting the evaporation of water from the aquarium.

Abstract: A drinking valve for automatic water feeding systems for animals includes a valve stem that is responsive to licking at the outlet of the valve by an animal, to open and close a valve seat and thereby control flow of drinking water to the outlet of the valve. The valve seat is constructed with low-cost reliable arrangement including stationary but compressible elastomeric seal configuration.

Abstract: An animal handling system (AMS), useful for positioning an immobilized animal in a predefined configuration, including: a proximal portion, held outside a medical device, comprises at least one inner shaft, and at least one outer shaft, the at least one outer shaft telescopically maneuverable along the at least one inner shaft to provide a telescopic mechanism of variable (proximal-) length, the proximal portion; and a distal portion comprising a configurable encapsulatable life support system (ELSS), the ELSS is rotatable and/or linearly reciprocatable along the main longitudinal axis of the shafts by means of the maneuverable telescopic mechanism of the proximal portion. The proximal portion further comprising indicia indicating the linear displacement and rotation of the ELSS of the distal portion, such that the ELSS is accurately and reversibly configured within the medical device to optimized animal analyses.

Abstract: An assembly includes a structural wall and a composite wall extending in the extension of the structural wall and defining a second section positioned facing a first section of the wall. The assembly includes an elongated traction element received in a first passage made in the structural wall, the first passage opening out into the first section and into a cell made in the structural wall. The composite wall defines a second passage opening out into the second section and receiving the elongated element. The assembly includes a locking member added onto the elongated element. The composite wall delimits an access cavity connecting an outer surface of the composite wall to the second passage. The locking member is received into the access cavity.

Abstract: An aircraft propulsion system including a bypass turbojet engine surrounded by a nacelle together with a mechanism attaching the engine to a pylon of an aircraft. The nacelle includes an inner structure forming a body of revolution including a rigid framework formed by an upstream annular frame fastened to an intermediate casing of the engine, a downstream annular frame supporting the exhaust casing of the engine, and longitudinal arms connecting the frames together, the annular downstream frame being fastened to the pylon by a flexible or hinged suspension mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling maturation of aquatically hatched insects. The apparatus comprises a drainable container for housing an egg laying medium for the insects; a filter operatively connected to the container for containing debris in the egg laying medium; and a selectively sealable catch basin located below the container for receiving the egg laying medium from the container when the container is drained. One or more outlets are provided on the catch basin for operatively releasing gas from the catch basin. The apparatus and method enhances the attractiveness of the artificial breeding pool to the gravid insects and helps control the local insect population.

Abstract: A kit for a planter is disclosed that has a polygon shape and has a selected number of sides and a same selected number of corners. The kit includes a selected number of bottom corner brackets, a selected number of corner beads, a selected number of top corner brackets, a selected number of top frame corner brackets, and a selected number of pairs of spacer runners that each correspond to the selected number of corners. The kit also includes a planter tub sized to fit within a planter body. The brackets and spacer runners are configured to be connected together to form a skeleton to which boards can be attached to form the planter body.

Abstract: A multifunctional cargo hold system for an aircraft includes a cargo hold floor; a retainer rail fitted to the cargo hold floor, suitable for the assembly of units for rolling and/or fixing of loaded elements. The units have a variable assembly with regard to the longitudinal direction of the retainer rail. The cargo hold system has a number of cargo positions, suitable for accommodating elements of the group, including a net for partitioning the cargo hold, a standard container, a palette, a telescopic system, an underfloor catering container, an underfloor rest space, a conveyor of fixed length and a conveyor of variable length, wherein each load position can accommodate at least four of the elements.

Abstract: A cat feeder assembly and method of providing a cat feeder assembly having at least three walls defining a food placement zone with a food container, with each wall having a top end and a bottom end, and a protective awning coupled to the housing structure and having a selectively adjustable height. The protective awning having a leading edge defining a primary height barrier and at least one secondary height barrier, with the secondary height barrier being located between the primary height barrier and the at least two walls. Both height barriers projecting a first and second imaginary plane substantially parallel to each other and defining a keep-out zone directly under the awning and substantially adjacent to the food container. The method further includes selectively adjusting the protective awning to the shoulder area of a cat the user desires to feed from the food placement zone.