Abstract: A bird repellent system for a wind machine with propeller blades mounted to a propeller hub on a mast, each propeller blade having a propeller tip at a distal end of the propeller blade, and a bird repellant ribbon attached to the propeller tip, so rotation of the propeller blades generates a wind stream parallel to a ground surface, to impart an action to the bird repellant ribbon. The bird repellent ribbon can be made from a mylar type of plastic film, and have holographic reflective features. The propeller blades can also include one or more strips of a reflective material adhered to the propeller.

Abstract: A system for arranging and operating an array of wind machines to protect crops from damaging weather conditions, such as freezing frost, rain and heat. The method includes a wind machine positioned to force air across the crop. The wind machine is preferably a propeller/tower configuration. The operational method of the wind machine array includes the steps of sensing ambient meteorological and the hardiness of the crop to withstand a particular adverse weather condition and operating the wind machines in response to these factors. Multiples of wind machines are employed in the preferred embodiment of the method, the siting of the wind machines preferably based upon topographic and historical meteorological conditions. The operation of the wind machines can be automatically and remotely operated with the aid of satellite communications including internet links.

Abstract: A system for arranging and operating an array of wind machines to protect crops from damaging weather conditions, such as freezing frost, rain and heat. The method includes a wind machine positioned to force air across the crop. The wind machine is preferably a propeller/tower configuration. The operational method of the wind machine array includes the steps of sensing ambient meteorological and the hardiness of the crop to withstand a particular adverse weather condition and operating the wind machines in response to these factors. Multiples of wind machines are employed in the preferred embodiment of the method, the siting of the wind machines preferably based upon topographic and historical meteorological conditions. The operation of the wind machines can be automatically and remotely operated with the aid of satellite communications including internet links.

Abstract: A system for arranging and operating an array of wind machines to protect crops from damaging weather conditions, such as freezing frost, rain and heat. The method includes a wind machine positioned to force air across the crop. The wind machine is preferably a propeller/tower configuration. The operational method of the wind machine array includes the steps of sensing ambient meteorological and the hardiness of the crop to withstand a particular adverse weather condition and operating the wind machines in response to these factors. Multiples of wind machines are employed in the preferred embodiment of the method, the siting of the wind machines preferably based upon topographic and historical meteorological conditions. The operation of the wind machines can be automatically and remotely operated with the aid of satellite communications including internet links.

Abstract: An air flow heating system for wind machine is provided, which can be mounted to a conventional, propeller driven wind machine's mast or tower, to provide a stream of heated updrafting air, for use by the wind machine, to supplement the overall convective air current in the vicinity of the wind machine. The system includes a heater assembly with a plurality of heater arms, each heater arm having at least a single burner, and each burner provided with a combustible fuel.

Abstract: A mount and conical spring element for use in a propeller stabilizer system, especially suited to stabilize the propellers of a wind machine or alternatively a wind powered generator, and more particularly a system of conical washers, or “belleville” type washers, positioned at the teeter pinned hub of the propeller, to counter a tilting action of the propeller upon the hub. The propeller stabilizer system includes a propeller assembly with a rotating hub having a plurality of propeller blades attached, and the hub mounted to a propeller shaft. The hub connects to the propeller shaft with a teeter pin, and the propeller assembly is tilt-able on the shaft, about the teeter pin. The propeller shaft also includes a washer mount for receiving a conical washer element, which abuts to both the propeller assembly and the washer mount. The conical washer element dampens the tilt of the propeller assembly upon the propeller shaft, about the teeter pin.

Abstract: A system for arranging and operating an array of wind machines to protect crops from damaging weather conditions, such as freezing frost, rain and heat. The method includes a wind machine positioned to force air across the crop. The wind machine is preferably a propeller/tower configuration. The operational method of the wind machine array includes the steps of sensing ambient meteorological and the hardiness of the crop to withstand a particular adverse weather condition and operating the wind machines in response to these factors. Multiples of wind machines are employed in the preferred embodiment of the method, the siting of the wind machines preferably based upon topographic and historical meteorological conditions. The operation of the wind machines can be automatically and remotely operated with the aid of satellite communications including internet links.

Abstract: A method for arranging and operating an array of wind machines to disperse area-wide odors, as generated by municipal waste treatment facilities and the like. The method includes a wind machine positioned to force air across the odor source. The wind machine is preferably a propeller/tower configuration, and most preferably configured for high volume and low RPM operation, to minimize noise. The method also includes the steps of sensing ambient meteorological and plant operation conditions in real time and operating the wind machines in response to stagnant, odor producing conditions. Multiples of wind machines are employed in the preferred embodiment of the method, the siting of the wind machines based upon topographic and historical meteorological conditions. The wind machines can respond to the odor by varying operating parameters such as air flow direction, speed and blade pitch.

Abstract: A heating system for a tower mounted wind machine is provided. The heating system includes a burner that is rotatably mounted on the tower, in the air stream of the wind machine. The burner receives a combustible fuel conducted through a rotatable manifold on the central tower. The wind machine is a conventional type, generating the air stream by the rotation of a propeller. The wind machine is received on the top of a central tower. The manifold also mounts to the central tower, proximate the wind machine. The manifold has an inner ring and an outer ring. The inner ring mounts in a fixed position to the central tower, and the outer ring circumferentially mounts on the inner ring. The outer ring is rotatable relative to the inner ring. The inner ring includes a fuel inlet, and the outer ring includes a fuel outlet. The burner combusts the fuel that is conducted through the manifold to heat the air stream.

Abstract: A produce catcher is provided that includes a support frame having a support member, a first extending arm and a second extending arm. The first extending arm is substantially parallel to and extendible from the support member, and the second extending arm is substantially parallel to and extendible from the support member. The first extending arm extends in a direction substantially opposite from the extension of the first extending member. A first tarp pole pivotally attaches to the first extending member and a second tarp pole is affixed to the support member. A third tarp pole pivotally attaches to the second extending member, and a fourth tarp pole is also affixed to the support member. The second tarp pole and the fourth tarp pole are spaced apart from one another at a distance sufficient to allow the positioning of a trunk of a tree between the second tarp pole and the fourth tarp pole. A first tarp is adapted to be suspended between the first tarp pole and the second tarp pole.

Abstract: A system for injecting a fluid spray into a wind machine-generated airstream is provided. The system includes a wind machine that is rotatably mounted upon a central tower. The wind machine is a conventional type, generating the air stream by the rotation of a propeller. The air stream can be directed toward a target, such as an orchard, vineyard or crop for cooling, humidifying, heating or the dispersal of agricultural chemicals. The present invention can be utilized for dust control. A nozzle array is mounted proximate to and preferably onto the wind machine, downstream of the air flow. The nozzle array includes at least a nozzle wand with a base end and a nozzle end. The base end attaches to the wind machine and each nozzle end has a nozzle. The nozzle injects the fluid into the air stream, behind and away from the rear of the wind machine. A rotatable manifold distributes the fluid to the nozzle array through the fluid outlet. The manifold is ring shaped and circumferentially mounted on the central tower.

Abstract: A heater apparatus for a wind machine and particularly for heating a wind stream generated by the wind machine, the wind machine rotatably mounted upon a central tower. The generated air stream can be directed toward a target such as an orchard, vineyard or crop. The wind machine rotates upon a pinion attached to the wind machine. The pinion rotates within a housing, and the housing is immovably mounted to the central tower. The housing includes a pinion cavity, which receives the pinion. The pinion is rotatable within the housing, and the pinion is co-rotatable with the wind machine about a common axis of rotation upon the central tower. A manifold is formed within the pinion cavity, between the pinion and the housing and is further bounded by an upper seal and a lower seal. A fuel is receivable into the manifold, the fuel conducted into the manifold through a housing port. The housing port penetrates through the housing and is open to the manifold. The housing port conducts the fuel into the manifold.

Abstract: A tree shaker pad for each of the clamping jaws of a nut or fruit tree shaker. The tree shaker pad includes a hollow pillow of cylindrical or oval shaped cross-sectional configuration of resilient material with the pillow being substantially filled with a plurality of resilient members having void area or interstices therebetween. The pillow is provided with a water or other liquid coolant inlet at one end and a water or liquid coolant outlet adjacent the other end of circulation of water or liquid coolant through the pillow when the jaws of the tree shaker are in unclamped relation to the tree trunk. The resilient members, preferably rubber balls, are compressed when the jaws are in clamping relation to a tree trunk and will maintain a degree of flexibility and elasticity to provide better conformity of the pad with the tree trunk when the jaws are in clamped position.

Abstract: An oscillating blower that includes an air discharge for cyclically impinging high velocity air onto and into the canopy of a fruit or nut tree thereby providing a novel method for shaking the limbs of a tree and create the same shaking action as a tree shaker by oscillating the blower at a selected proper frequency. The oscillating blower not only shakes the limbs to remove the nuts or fruit but also dislodges the nuts or fruits by blowing them off the supporting stems. The oscillating blower also removes residual fruit or nuts that were not harvested during the normal harvesting operation such as when a conventional tree shaker is used for dislodging the fruit or nuts from the tree. The residual fruit or nuts left on the tree by a tree shaker frequently become infested with worms or other pests that may infest the fruit or nut tree and adversely affect the crop produced during the next growing season.

Abstract: A cooling and lubricating system incorporated into the jaws of a shaking head of a nut tree shaker in which water or a mixture of water and a lubricant is pumped from a supply reservoir through a control valve assembly into a supply line connected with a manifold bolted between the slings which support the shaker pad in each jaw for discharging water or a mixture of water and lubricant between the slings and onto the pad for cooling the slings and pads and lubricating the slings.

Abstract: A shaking head is slidably mounted on a carriage which extends perpendicular to a boom connected to a tractor. The shaking head is reciprocally mounted on the carriage so as to move towards and away from trees located along the side of the tractor. The carriage is secured to a hollow sleeve which is rotatably and removably mounted on a rod projecting from the boom section.

Abstract: A system is provided for introducing fluids into a wind stream. Such fluids may be used to cool the orchard during the late summer and early fall, to aid in prevention of frost damage during the spring, or to distribute agricultural chemicals. This invention ensures that the fluid is introduced into the wind stream in the most efficient manner, thus ensuring economical use of fluids and minimizing any detrimental environmental effects of their use. The fluid introduced into the wind stream is of such a fine character that the fluid is broken up into a mist which will carry over a great distance, such as a fog.

Abstract: This invention is a fluid injection spray system for use with wind machine in order to protect orchard crops from heat or frost and to dispense agricultural chemicals. In one embodiment fluid is dispensed from nozzles on risers which are arrayed about the wind machine tower. The flow of fluid to the risers is sequentially controlled. In another embodiment, fluid is dispensed from nozzles mounted on conduits on a rotating gear box. Fluid is provided from the tower via a rotating valve.

Abstract: A belt conveyer and a conveying system using a belt conveyer. The system is designed to convey articles around curves and between vertically and horizontally spaced locations. The belt used in the system has a central substantially inextensible flexible spine and an upper load carrying portion supported by the spine. The load carrying portion has a plurality of ribs and a plurality of pleats interposed between the ribs. The ribs provide rigidity for the belt and limit movement of articles with respect to the belt, while the pleats provide longitudinal extension and contraction of side edges when the belt is following a curved path. The distance between top edges of the pleats and top edges of the ribs increases from outer edges of the belt towards the center so that top edges of the pleats are generally V shaped and conveyed articles and juices and liquids exuded from the conveyed articles tend to be conveyed in a central region of the belt.