Abstract: A pet toy has a core assembly incorporating a noise making feature. The pet toy has a flexible, elastomeric body that flexes in response to external pressure placed on the toy by an animal. The core assembly extends through the interior of the pet toy and is secured at opposite ends of the pet toy. In one preferred embodiment, the pet toy is a round shaped ball in which the core assembly extends across a diameter of the ball. The core assembly has a bore and a noise making device is secured to a housing that extends from a central shaft of the bore. Airflow is facilitated through the pet toy for activation of the noise making device by deformation of the body of the pet toy. As the pet toy is deformed by the biting action of an animal, air is forced through the noise making device, thereby creating sound. In another embodiment, the core assembly has a compound shape including a bulbous portion securing the noise making housing.

Abstract: A landing gear for an aircraft has a set of axially spaced wheels rotatable about a common axis drive by a transverse flux drive. In another feature, a transverse flux drive includes a first rotor and a second rotor. One of the first and second rotors is positioned radially inwardly of the other. A single stator is positioned radially intermediate the first and second rotors. In another feature, a landing gear combination for use on an aircraft has a nose wheel assembly including at least one nose wheel to be associated with a nose cone on an aircraft. A main landing gear assembly is also associated with the aircraft. A transverse flux motor provides on-ground propulsion and/or braking to the aircraft.

Abstract: A wall panel for a livestock confinement pen made of a hollow plastic twin sheet thermoformed body with a grid divider received in an opening of the body between the two sides of the body. One side has flanges by the opening to receive a cover cut from the other side over the opening.

Abstract: The invention claim is a garden tool to assist in the removal of planting medium and plant from a planting container. The garden tool comprises a handle having a first end and a second end, a base, and a planting container. The handle and the base are connected forming a L-shape body. The base is placed inside the planting container, and the handle extends above the top of the planting container. The connection between the handle and base may be reinforced by an angle brace. The connection between the handle and base may be hinged. If the connection is hinged, the angle brace prevents the hinge movement. Located on one end of the angle brace is a hook, that connects to the base. In addition, the base has weeping holes to allow the drainage of water. The base also has raised ridges to contain the growing medium when removed.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the concentration of zooplankton in a continuous zooplankton culture system. The system may include a transmissiometer, a sample tube, a first sample containing water and microalgae, and a second sample containing water, microalgae, and zooplankton. The concentration of zooplankton in the system may be calculated by comparing the transmissiometer output from the first sample and the second sample, wherein each of the outputs are obtained by moving each sample into the sample tube such that the transmissionmeter is positioned to take a reading across the tube.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting apparatus that may be utilized with aquariums having features and functionality enabling a person to easily access the opening of an aquarium for various purposes, such as cleaning and maintenance. According to one embodiment of the invention, the lighting apparatus comprises an arm member fixedly attached to the panel, a clamp member for attachment of the device to a wall of the aquarium, a hinge member for hingedly attaching the arm member to the clamp member, and at least one light element disposed on the at least one panel such that at least one lighting element illuminates a side common to all panels.

Abstract: An animal leash such as, for example, for dogs, may include an elongated flexible sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the sleeve is configured to be held by a hand of a user and includes an opening for accessing an interior pocket of the sleeve. A rigid rod may be removably received within the interior pocket of the flexible sleeve through the opening to optionally make the animal leash rigid for training and/or controlling an animal (e.g., a dog) releasably attached to the leash. An attachment portion may be coupled at or near the distal end of the sleeve and may be configured to be releasably attached to a collar or harness on the animal.

Abstract: A section of aircraft fuselage includes a body structure and a floor connected to the body structure. The body structure has an external skin and a framework including frames, positioned in fuselage cross-sections approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis in an aircraft reference frame. The floor has cross members extending along a lateral axis. The cross members and the frames are disconnected and each cross member, at opposite ends, is fixed to the body structure by an intermediate structural assembly connected on the one hand to the cross member and on the other hand to the external skin and/or to one or more frames.

Abstract: A microsatellite comprising a propulsion module for moving and/or pointing the microsatellite and an imaging device (100) mounted to the propulsion module. Furthermore there is a fuel supply (210) located within the imaging device (100).

Abstract: A heat transfer assembly can include an equipment panel having an east end and a west end. East and west radiator panels are coupled to the east and west ends, respectively, of the equipment panel. The assembly also includes a plurality of flexible heat pipes each having a first rigid tube thermally coupled to the east radiator panel, a second rigid tube coupled to the equipment panel, a third rigid tube thermally coupled to the west radiator panel, a first flexible tube sealingly coupled between the first and second rigid tubes, and a second flexible tube sealingly coupled between the second and third rigid tubes. The equipment panel is configured to retain one or more equipment modules in thermal contact with the second rigid tube of at least one of the plurality of flexible heat pipes.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for growing and distributing living food crops to an intended recipient prior to harvesting that includes the utilization of a production unit to grow the food crops and a transportation cart to efficiently deliver the production units. This method prevents critical losses of nutritional content resulting from extended periods of non-consumption subsequent to harvesting. Additionally, the foods created and distributed by this method have increased aesthetic appeal to the consumer and enhanced natural taste. The novel method includes planting and growing the desired food crops in production units, transporting the production units, using a novel transportation cart, to an intended recipient once the crop reaches a predetermined ripeness, and mounting the production units at a recipient desired location. The food crops remain in the production units until ready for use, purchase, or consumption, at which point the food crops are harvested.

Abstract: A method of releasing cargo suspended from at least one cargo hook release pendant in a suspension system coupled to a cargo hook release system includes receiving a voltage release signal at a cargo hook control interface and a cargo release harness assembly; receiving an energizing voltage signal at the cargo release harness assembly; energizing a relay in response to receiving the energizing voltage signal, the relay being electrically coupled to the cargo release harness assembly; automatically transmitting the voltage release signal from the cargo release harness assembly to at least one cargo hook release pendant in response to energizing the relay; and automatically releasing the cargo from at least one cargo hook release pendant in response to automatically transmitting the voltage release signal. Also, the cargo hook release system includes the cargo hook control interface, the cargo release harness assembly, and at least one cargo hook release pendant.

Abstract: An acoustic treatment panel includes an acoustically resistive layer that defines a surface of an aircraft that is in contact with an aerodynamic stream, a reflective layer (50) between which are arranged at least one alveolar structure (52) with a number of cells dedicated to the acoustic treatment, and de-icing cavities (58) in which hot air circulates in contact with the acoustically resistive layer to ensure a frost treatment, characterized in that it includes holes for supplying de-icing cavities (58) with hot air and in that the capacity to treat the frost is adjusted along the zones by modifying the open surface ratio that results from the holes.

Abstract: Vapor wake detection is a highly advantageous method and system for detecting explosives and other illicit substances. With vapor wake detection, a canine and a handler are used; however, unlike other detection schemes, the canine leads the handler. After the handler positions the canine in a desired location, the canine detects scents in the air that come to the canine. When the canine detects a trained scent, the canine leads the handler to or follows behind the carrier of the item with the scent. Once the carrier is identified by the handler, the proper personnel are contacted. To implement vapor wake detection effectively, specific rigorous training is utilized.

Abstract: A pneumatic deployment device (“PDD”) assists in ejecting containerized cargo bundles from a cargo aircraft during an airdrop. The PDD includes a first structure affixed to the aircraft and a second moveable structure, and which is positioned against a cargo bundle, referred to as a CDS bundle. Typically, a series of CDS bundles are positioned along a line in the cargo hold of the aircraft. A pressurized tank provides compress gas to an airbag that is positioned between the first structure and the second structure. Upon reaching the drop location, the gas is release from the tank to the airbag via a hose, inflating the airbag. The airbag pushes the second structure against the CDS bundle, so that the cargo bundles are ejected faster from the aircraft than would otherwise occur.

Abstract: A method for feeding farmed fish by using au automatic feeder (20), which supplies a feed to the farmed fish in accordance with a preset feeding schedule, and a feed-demand sensor (22), which detects a demand for the feed by the farmed fish, characterized in that the feed-supply by the automatic feeder (20) is controlled on the basis of the detection results from the feed-demand sensor (22).

Abstract: Various embodiments related to a tree guard are disclosed. One embodiment provides an L shaped breakaway bracket for use with a modular tree guard assembly. The L shaped breakaway bracket includes a horizontal member extending substantially perpendicularly from a vertical member, wherein the vertical member is thinner and longer than the horizontal member. At least one fastener hole is provided in the horizontal member for receiving a fastener for securing the horizontal member to a rail. At least one fastener hole is provided in the vertical member for receiving a fastener for securing the vertical member to a post. The breakaway bracket is adapted to break along the intersection of the horizontal member and the vertical member and separate the rail from the post when a force that would otherwise be sufficient to deform the rail is applied to the rail.

Abstract: A slightly puffed, low density, moisture-absorbing and odor-absorbing additive that can readily remove undesirable odors from a confined space is produced from re-purposed spent carbon materials obtained from other processes. The product is particularly suitable as an addition to animal litters and the like with possible uses in human applications. An aspect of the method includes a step of extruding a spent carbon mixture, optionally containing diatomaceous earth to obtain the additive. Also disclosed are de-germinated corn flour, or grits, that aid process flow and can serve as a substrate for the spent carbon materials.

Abstract: An animal handling system (AMS), for positioning an immobilized animal in a predefined configuration therein, including: a proximal portion, held outside a medical device including: at least one inner shaft, and at least one outer shaft, the at least one inner is telescopically maneuverable within the at least one outer shaft providing a variable telescopic mechanism; and a distal portion including: a configurable encapsuable life support system (ELSS), the ELSS is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the at least outer shaft and the at least inner shaft and translationally moveable parallel to the longitudinal axis by means of the maneuverable telescopic mechanism.

Abstract: A system for organic farming of aquatic livestock has at least one substantially enclosed container structured and arranged to contain at least one input-controlled organic environment usable to organically farm such aquatic livestock. At least one pollutant-free water-supplier is structured and arranged to supply, to the at least one substantially enclosed container, water substantially free of environmental pollutants. At least one aquatic life-support unit is structured and arranged to maintain within the at least one substantially enclosed container habitable environment consistent with sustaining growth of such aquatic livestock. At least one heating system is coupled to the at least one substantially enclosed container for heating an air mixture. The air mixture is injected into the water substantially free of environmental pollutants to heat the water substantially free of environmental pollutants.