Abstract: The specification discloses a large scale hydroponic system including a plurality of grow tanks interconnected in a subsystem, and a reservoir. The reservoir is connected to the grow tanks through a pump that outputs nutrient fluid through a nutrient supply line. The nutrient supply line is connected to the grow tanks through a subsystem supply line. The subsystem supply line supplies fresh nutrient fluid to each of the grow tanks in the subsystem at substantially the same time. Excess nutrient fluid is exits the grow tanks through an overflow line, which is connected to the reservoir and returns the excess nutrient fluid to the reservoir. A drain line may be connected to the grow tanks to allow the nutrient fluid to be removed from the grow tanks. The drain line is connected to the reservoir and returns the removed nutrient fluid to the reservoir.

Abstract: The specification discloses a DWC hydroponic system that includes a plurality of grow tanks, a circulation pump, a nutrient supply line fluidly connecting the outlet of the circulation pump to the grow tanks, and a tank drain line fluidly connected to the grow tanks. Each of the grow tanks is fluidly connected in parallel between the nutrient supply line and the tank drain line. The system further includes a pump suction line fluidly connected to the inlet of the circulation pump, and a plurality of bridge connectors each fluidly connecting the tank drain line to the pump suction line in accordance with a defined pattern. The DWC system may further include a nutrient supply fluidly connected to the circulation pump intake through a valve arrangement.

Abstract: The specification discloses a DWC hydroponic system that includes a plurality of grow tanks, a circulation pump, a nutrient supply line fluidly connecting the outlet of the circulation pump to the grow tanks, and a tank drain line fluidly connected to the grow tanks. Each of the grow tanks is fluidly connected in parallel between the nutrient supply line and the tank drain line. The system further includes a pump suction line fluidly connected to the inlet of the circulation pump, and a plurality of bridge connectors each fluidly connecting the tank drain line to the pump suction line in accordance with a defined pattern. The DWC system may further include a nutrient supply fluidly connected to the circulation pump intake through a valve arrangement.

Abstract: The specification discloses a DWC hydroponic system that includes a plurality of grow tanks, a circulation pump, a nutrient supply line fluidly connecting the outlet of the circulation pump to the grow tanks, and a tank drain line fluidly connected to the grow tanks. Each of the grow tanks is fluidly connected in parallel between the nutrient supply line and the tank drain line. The system further includes a pump suction line fluidly connected to the inlet of the circulation pump, and a plurality of bridge connectors each fluidly connecting the tank drain line to the pump suction line in accordance with a defined pattern. The DWC system may further include a nutrient supply fluidly connected to the circulation pump intake through a valve arrangement.

Abstract: The specification discloses a hydroponic nutrient solution aeration device that has no moving parts. The aeration device includes an aerator and a converging nozzle. The aerator includes a nutrient inlet, an air inlet port, and a diverging nozzle. The converging nozzle is adjacent the diverging nozzle. The largest portion of the converging nozzle is connected to the largest portion of the diverging nozzle. The aeration device uses a relatively small volume flow rate to entrain a significant amount of air.

Abstract: The specification discloses a hydroponic nutrient aeration and flow control (NAFC) device and system, which both aerates and controls the flow of the hydroponic nutrient solution. The NAFC device has no moving parts. Each NAFC device mixes and aerates the nutrient from the nutrient reservoir with air and/or nutrient from one of the grow tanks. Each NAFC device additionally controls the flow of the aerated nutrient solution to the grow tank and the nutrient reservoir. The vertical position of the end of the nutrient return line in each grow tank may be adjusted to adjust the level of the nutrient solution within the grow tank.

Abstract: The specification discloses a hydroponic nutrient aeration and flow control (NAFC) device and system, which both aerates and controls the flow of the hydroponic nutrient solution. The NAFC device has no moving parts. Each NAFC device mixes and aerates the nutrient from the nutrient reservoir with air and/or nutrient from one of the grow tanks. Each NAFC device additionally controls the flow of the aerated nutrient solution to the grow tank and the nutrient reservoir. The vertical position of the end of the nutrient return line in each grow tank may be adjusted to adjust the level of the nutrient solution within the grow tank.

Abstract: The specification discloses a hydroponic nutrient aeration and flow control (NAFC) device and system, which both aerates and controls the flow of the hydroponic nutrient solution. The NAFC device has no moving parts. Each NAFC device mixes and aerates the nutrient from the nutrient reservoir with air and/or nutrient from one of the grow tanks. Each NAFC device additionally controls the flow of the aerated nutrient solution to the grow tank and the nutrient reservoir. The vertical position of the end of the nutrient return line in each grow tank may be adjusted to adjust the level of the nutrient solution within the grow tank.

Abstract: The specification discloses a marine fluid connection system including a fitting and a connector. The fitting is cylindrical and includes a radially extending flange. The connector includes a cylindrical body, a plurality of levers on the body, and a locking ring on the body. The levers are movable between a latched position, in which the levers are closed on the flange to lock the connector on the fitting, and an unlatched position, in which the levers are open so that the connector may be removed from the fitting. The locking ring is axially movable with respect to the body to move the latches between their latched and unlatched positions.

Abstract: The specification discloses a marine fluid connection system including a fitting and a connector. The fitting is cylindrical and includes a radially extending flange. The connector includes a cylindrical body, a plurality of levers on the body, and a locking ring on the body. The levers are movable between a latched position, in which the levers are closed on the flange to lock the connector on the fitting, and an unlatched position, in which the levers are open so that the connector may be removed from the fitting. The locking ring is axially movable with respect to the body to move the latches between their latched and unlatched positions.

Abstract: The specification discloses a system and a method for powering electrical devices using the voltage difference between the cells of a wet cell battery. The system includes probes inserted into the electrolyte in different cells of the battery. The probes are electrically connected to the devices to power the devices. The probes, the devices, and/or the connecting wires may be incorporated into, or otherwise installed with, vent caps or single-point watering systems.

Abstract: The specification discloses a system and a method for powering electrical devices using the voltage difference between the cells of a wet cell battery. The system includes probes inserted into the electrolyte in different cells of the battery. The probes are electrically connected to the devices to power the devices. The probes, the devices, and/or the connecting wires may be incorporated into, or otherwise installed with, vent caps or single-point watering systems.

Abstract: A prevailing torque locknut having a nut body, a locking band, and a retainer. The nut body includes a threaded portion and an unthreaded counterbore. The locking includes a coil portion and first and second tangs extending tangentially from the coil portion. The locking band is located within the counterbore, and the first and second tangs engage the counterbore sidewall to prevent relative rotation of the locking band within the nut body. The retainer is swaged into the nut body to secure the locking band within the nut body.

Abstract: A prevailing torque locknut having a nut body, a locking band, and a retainer. The nut body includes a threaded portion and an unthreaded counterbore. The locking includes a coil portion and first and second tangs extending tangentially from the coil portion. The locking band is located within the counterbore, and the first and second tangs engage the counterbore sidewall to prevent relative rotation of the locking band within the nut body. The retainer is swaged into the nut body to secure the locking band within the nut body.

Abstract: A nut lock includes a nut body, a locking coil, and a cage. The locking coil includes first and second tangs and has an internal diameter that is smaller than the internal diameter of the nut body. The cage is fixed within the nut body and includes a circumferential wall defining first and second stops. The locking coil is located within the cage, and the first and second tangs are positioned proximate the first and second stops of the cage. The first tang engages the first stop when the nut lock is turned in a first direction, and the second tang engages the second stop when the nut lock is turned in a second direction.

Abstract: A nut lock includes a nut body, a locking coil, and a cage. The locking coil includes first and second tangs and has an internal diameter that is smaller than the internal diameter of the nut body. The cage is fixed within the nut body and includes a circumferential wall defining first and second stops. The locking coil is located within the cage, and the first and second tangs are positioned proximate the first and second stops of the cage. The first tang engages the first stop when the nut lock is turned in a first direction, and the second tang engages the second stop when the nut lock is turned in a second direction.

Abstract: A locknut includes a body, a locking element, and a cage. The body has a threaded portion and an unthreaded portion. The locking element includes a coil portion having first and second tangs. The locking element is positioned within the cage, and the cage is secured within the unthreaded portion of the body. The cage includes first and second stops, and the first and second tangs of the coil are proximate the stops to be engaged by the stops during rotation of the locknut.

Abstract: A single point watering assembly for a monobloc battery having a plurality of cell access ports each have a top edge. The assembly includes a manifold and a plurality of valve cartridges. The manifold overlies the access ports and includes extensions each extending into one of the access ports. Each valve cartridge is supported by one of the manifold extensions and is located below the top edge of the respective access port. Consequently, the assembly presents a low profile extending above the battery.

Abstract: A locking fastener includes a fastener body, a locking band within the fastener body, and a retainer secured to the fastener body to retain the locking band within the fastener body. The locking band includes first and second tangs that fit within recesses in the fastener body to limit angular movement of the tangs. The tangs and the recesses are dimensioned to control the torque required to remove the fastener from a threaded member. The retainer defines a central circular hole corresponding to the diameter of a threaded member on which the fastener is mounted.

Abstract: A battery vent cap capable of push-in installation and turn-out removal. The cap includes bayonet tabs. The tabs in turn each include a ramp portion to facilitate movement of the cap bayonet tabs past bayonet tabs in a battery vent port as the vent cap is inserted into the port axially without substantial rotation. The interfitting bayonet tabs retain the vent cap within the vent port and also permit the vent cap to be unscrewed and removed from the vent port. In a preferred embodiment, the vent cap includes a swivel connector to which a watering hose may be connected. The swivel enables the vent cap to be unscrewed from the vent portion without having to remove the watering hose from the swivel connector.