Abstract: A solid distribution system of an agricultural spreader includes a product hopper configured to contain solid particulate material, a blower, a manifold coupled to the blower and having a plurality of outlets, at least one boom arm comprising a plurality of parallel rigid tubes configured to carry the solid particulate material and air from the blower, and a plurality of hoses. The manifold is configured to split air flow from the blower into flows through each of the plurality of outlets. Each valve is in fluid communication with one of the outlets and one of the rigid tubes, and each valve individually controls flow through a respective one of the rigid tubes. Vehicles having such solid distribution systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid distribution system of an agricultural spreader includes a blower, a manifold having an inlet and a plurality of outlets and coupled to the blower, and a plurality of hoses. The manifold is configured to split air flow from the blower into flows through each of the plurality of outlets. Each hose is connected to one of the manifold outlets. A plurality of parallel rigid tubes are each connected to one of the hoses. A product hopper is configured to deliver solid particulate material to the rigid tubes without passing through the manifold or hoses. Vehicles having such solid distribution systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: One aspect is a network system including a network sewer and a plurality of gateway hosts coupled to the network server and each including a sectorized antenna and defining a plurality of gateway areas. An overlapping gateway grid includes the plurality gateway areas, each gateway area including sectors. The network system includes a plurality of endpoints, each sending and receiving 10 communication signals to and from at least two gateway hosts, and each comprising an oscillator calibrated with a clocking frequency. The network server determines the location of a target endpoint by sending communication signals between two selected sectorized antennas and the target endpoint to determine one sector from each of the two selected sectorized antennas in which the target endpoint is located, 15 and by calculating the time-of-flight for the communication signal to travel between each of the selected sectorized antennas and the target endpoint.

Abstract: One aspect is a network system including a network sewer and a plurality of gateway hosts coupled to the network server and each including a sectorized antenna and defining a plurality of gateway areas. An overlapping gateway grid includes the plurality gateway areas, each gateway area including sectors. The network system includes a plurality of endpoints, each sending and receiving 10 communication signals to and from at least two gateway hosts, and each comprising an oscillator calibrated with a clocking frequency. The network server determines the location of a target endpoint by sending communication signals between two selected sectorized antennas and the target endpoint to determine one sector from each of the two selected sectorized antennas in which the target endpoint is located, 15 and by calculating the time-of-flight for the communication signal to travel between each of the selected sectorized antennas and the target endpoint.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for smoothing the surface of an object built from a polymeric or wax material using a layered manufacturing rapid prototyping technique. After the object is built it is exposed to a vaporized solvent such as in a vaporizer for an exposure time sufficient to reflow the object surface. A solvent is chosen based on its ability to transiently soften the material which forms the object, and thereafter evaporate off the object. The object is removed from the solvent and allowed to dry, producing a smooth finished part.