Abstract: A mechanism to dispense a variety of medications to an animal. The mechanism includes a pump 14 which when operated delivers a dose of medication of predetermined volume to an associated dispenser 16, There is a plurality of pumps 14 each having an associated dispenser 16, Each dispenser 16, when operated, activates a control unit 13 which in turn activates the associated pump 14 so that a dose of predetermined volume is delivered to the dispenser 16.

Abstract: A cross-flow spraying method comprising creating an air stream by a fan, spraying a crop with a spray liquid injected into the air stream and passing the spray airborne by the air stream across the crop, receiving some at least of airborne overspray in a suction hood located at the lee side of the crop and recirculating the spray liquid. The air outlet from the suction hood may be redirected to the inlet side of the fan, or the suction hood may have its own exhaust fan, and surfaces which precipitate the spray liquid. By utilizing suction as well as pressure, the leaves of vegetation flutter and become more fully covered with the spray liquid. Loss of liquid due to overspray is reduced.

Abstract: There is provided a transducer arranged to identify the body weight of each animal, the transducer providing a voltage signal which is amplified to drive a motor of an electrically operated pump which pumps drenching chemical to a handpiece, the handpiece having a discharge tube which is inserted in an animal's mouth.

Abstract: The valve control means includes valves arranged in a bank for controlling the flow of fluids in a winery, oil refinery or the like. The valves have operating arms located in one x-y plane. In a plane parallel to but spaced from the x-y plane there is provided an x-y plotter which has a projecting pin that can be moved adjacent to a valve arm and rotated by computer control to cause rotation of the valve arm between "on" and "off" positions. Where the valve is of the type which requires a linear withdrawal of the arm from its stem after rotation can be effected, the valve arm is provided with an abutment plate and one end is withdrawn by operation of the x-y plotter pin. A very close control of temperature, time or other requirement can be achieved automatically without requiring the attention of an operator.

Abstract: In the production of wine it is desireable that yeast propagation should remain substantially constant during fermentation and the wine to yeast propagation is normally cyclic. A computer controls functions between limits which are set both for Baume and cell count in a continuous fermenting tank. A Baume sensing means (for example a specific gravity sensing means) and a turbidity sensing means (for example a nephelometer sensor) sense the contents of the continuous fermenting tank. A pump pumps yeast from a yeast propagating tank in response to the requirements of the continuous fermenting tank. A second pump pumps partly fermented wine from the continuous fermenting tank into a buffer tank.

Abstract: A probe for determining moisture content of a medium includes a heating element and a temperature sensing element which is spaced from the heating element. The heating element within a tube is energized for a period of time, and the temperature change of the sensing element after that time is a function of moisture content within a range of tolerance which is acceptable for agricultural and most other purposes. Temperature readout means are coupled to the probe to identify the temperature at that time and identify moisture content of the medium as a function of temperature.

Abstract: A wooden wine barrel has one end removed, and is supported by and rotated by power driven support wheels. A router type cutter head extends into the barrel on an inner end of an arm which is pivoted at its outer end so that the cutter head can follow the contour of the barrel, and means to move the barrel longitudinally with respect to the arm (or vice versa) to effect relative longitudinal movement between the arm and barrel.

Abstract: A method of spraying grapes, comprising traversing harvested grapes from a harvester into a bin, and spraying a series of pulses of preservative liquid over the harvested grapes before they enter the bin, and adjusting either the "OFF" time or the "ON" time of the pulses so that the spray quantity is matched to the harvesting rate.

Abstract: Injection means for injecting a liquified gas such as sulphur dioxide into a container such as a wine storage tank and avoiding "icing up" the valve mechanism, wherein a three limbed "T" piece of conduit receives the liquified gas, each having a separately controlled valve, one of the limbs being connected to a source of gas which is not liquified, such as nitrogen, the nitrogen blowing the liquified sulphur dioxide gas out of the three limbed "T" piece when two of the valves are opened. The volume of the "T" piece accurately determined the dosage of sulphur dioxide.

Abstract: A tank lid having flexible polymeric material forming an annular torus surrounding a discoid portion, pins retaining the torus seated on the upper edge of the tank. A proximity sensor which senses bulging of the discoid portion, the proximity sensor actuating a valve which will stop entry of gas such as nitrogen upon the disclosed portion bulging upwardly but allow entry of the gas when it deflects downwardly.

Abstract: An instantly variable constant current control is interposed between a bank of batteries and a motor. The variable constant current control comprises a series pass transistor operating in a linear mode and controlled by a reference voltage from a potentiometer coupled to an accelerator pedal. Correction voltage from the series pass transistor circuit is proportional to current. The accelerator reference voltage and the current correction voltage are compared in a linear operational amplifier which controls the "on" resistance of the series pass transistor.

Abstract: An arrangement of electric motors which are coupled together both mechanically and electrically comprises series pass elements and current sensing devices in the power circuits of the respective motors, each current sensing device having an output voltage which is proportional to its motor current, and which is applied to a respective linear operational amplifier having an output which controls the equivalent resistance of the series pass element (and thereby the magnitude of motor current). A single reference voltage is applied to all the linear operational amplifiers, so that, for example, if the motors are similar, each will transmit the same torque regardless of any difference in its internal impedance.

Abstract: Electrolyte from a battery cell is circulated by pump, through a container which contains a hydrometer float, and back to the cell. The float has an opaque neck which interrupts light passing from a light source assembly to a light receiving assembly, and the receiving assembly controls slave means, which can be an illuminated sign, as for example a group of visible light emitting diodes, the number of which illuminated indicating the density of the electrolyte. The slave means can alternatively be a volt meter, or a battery charger, the rate of charge of which is controlled by a voltage signal.