Abstract: An anti-siphon device and method for operation of an anti-siphon device is provided. The anti-siphon device includes a plurality of radially aligned fins that are unsupported at one end and attached to a carrier body at a second end.

Abstract: A method of welding a first piece to a second piece by laser welding is disclosed. The first piece includes a central portion between two outer portions. The method comprises the step of placing the first piece adjacent the second piece, where the central portion of the first piece is a distance from the second piece, and the outer portions of the first piece are flush with the second piece. The method also comprises the step of applying a laser beam to the central portion toward the second piece. Material from the first piece combines with material from the second piece to form a welded material. A shear section of the welded material extends between the first and second pieces. A width of the shear section is greater than a width of the welded material in the first piece.

Abstract: A hydroponic growing system is presented. The system can include multiple growing trays in a vertical arrangement, where a pump supplies the top-most tray and each lower tray is supplied by the overlying tray, and where the plumbing elements for supply and drainage are arranged to one side of the system. The system includes variations to support different crop types within the same system, including removable growing structures for root vegetable, microgreens and supports for vining crops. The system can monitor and adjust the nutrients and other features of the systems water profile to concurrently group multiple crops in differing developing stages.

Abstract: A hydroponic growing system is presented. The system can include multiple growing trays in a vertical arrangement, where a pump supplies the top-most tray and each lower tray is supplied by the overlying tray, and where the plumbing elements for supply and drainage are arranged to one side of the system. The system includes variations to support different crop types within the same system, including removable growing structures for root vegetable, microgreens and supports for vining crops. The system can monitor and adjust the nutrients and other features of the systems water profile to concurrently group multiple crops in differing developing stages.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an integrated fuel composition-pressure sensor. In one example, the integrated sensor may include a set of cylindrical capacitors and a set of plate capacitors with a common capacitor element shared between the sets. A composition of fuel may be determined from the set of cylindrical capacitors and a pressure of fuel may be determined from the set of plate capacitors.

Abstract: A composition and method for treating a fracturing fluid comprising produced water with high levels of dissolved solids using a polymer crosslinked with a boron compound and a high pH alkylamine buffer. The composition improves the viscosity stability of the fracturing fluid at elevated bottom-hole temperatures, particularly when the fluid has high levels of calcium and magnesium. The composition is particularly useful with polysaccharides, including galactomannan gums, such as guar gum, locust bean gum, and karaya gum, and allows for the use of the preferred boron compound crosslinkers in high total dissolved solids fracturing fluids without the pH destabilization problems encountered with the prior art.

Abstract: Biodegradable non-lethal biodegradable ammunition for firearms, formed by a cartridge case comprising gas-forming means, a case base and a projectile, characterised in that the composition of said projectile comprises at least 30% of a biodegradable bioplastic in accordance to Standard UNE-EN-ISO 14855:2005 according to the ISO 14855:1999 analysis method and up to 70% of one or more inert and non-toxic mineral fillers, each selected from the group of carbonates or mineral salts.

Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system has a separator including a first set of protuberances disposed within a cavity and four ports open to the cavity, a pump in fluid communication with a first of the four ports to control thermal management fluid delivery to the cavity, and a degas bottle in fluid communication with a second of the four ports. The protuberances and the four ports are arranged with one another such that a laminar flow of the thermal management fluid entering the cavity is obstructed and a portion of air of the thermal management fluid is separated and directed through the second of the four ports to the degas bottle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using thermoelectric generators to recover waste heat from and diagnose turbocharger systems. In one example, a method may include adjusting one or more engine operating parameters based on an amount of current generated from one or more thermoelectric generators coupled to a turbocharger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biodegradable shotgun cartridge comprising a rim, a case and at least one base wad and at least one container wad, wherein said case, the at least one base wad and at least one container wad comprise (i) at least one biodegradable bioplastic of vegetable or fermentative origin; and (ii) an inert and non-toxic mineral filler, wherein said mineral filler comprises no more than 70% by weight with respect to the total weight of said material.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for tracking students on school buses. In one aspect, a method includes storing, in an onboard computing device, a list of students associated with respective stops on a bus route, storing, in the onboard computing device, a list of students on the bus, determining that the bus has reached a designated stop, and presenting on a display a list of students associated with the designated stop. As each student enters or exits the bus, the methods include receiving an electronic signal identifying the student entering or exiting the bus and adding or removing the student to or from the list of students on the bus.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for vehicle inspection and passenger tracking. In one aspect, a portable vehicle data input device includes an electronic display and a data processor coupled to the display and containing instructions configured to cause the device to: display information related to inspection of different portions of a vehicle, receive driver input indicating completion of vehicle inspection tasks, display information related to a plurality of passengers associated with the vehicle, receive input identifying specific passengers as the specific passengers board or exit the vehicle, and update a roster of passengers in response to receiving the input.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a conical guard for an evaporative emissions control (EVAP) system. In one example, the conical guard is arranged at an end of a vent line of the EVAP system, adapted with openings sufficiently small to hinder entry of foreign bodies into the vent line. The conical guard is further configured to trap and expel debris and maintain a desired rate of flow through the EVAP system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an integrated fuel composition-pressure sensor. In one example, the integrated sensor may include a set of cylindrical capacitors and a set of plate capacitors with a common capacitor element shared between the sets. A composition of fuel may be determined from the set of cylindrical capacitors and a pressure of fuel may be determined from the set of plate capacitors.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for student accountability systems. School buses can be equipped with a bus system that executes a driver application. Students carry student identification (ID) systems that identify the students to the bus system, which in turn reports a geographic location to a student accountability system. The bus system is configured to permit rapid boarding and easy usage by drivers. The student accountability system provides a parent portal and an administrator portal to monitor the students and provide other useful functions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using thermoelectric generators to recover waste heat from and diagnose turbocharger systems. In one example, a method may include adjusting one or more engine operating parameters based on an amount of current generated from one or more thermoelectric generators coupled to a turbocharger.

Abstract: A fungicidal composition containing a fungicidally effective amount of a compound of Formula I, 4-((6-(2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,1-difluoro-2-hydroxy-3-(5-mercapto-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propyl)pyridin-3-yl)oxy)benzonitrile for use on fungal diseases of cereals. Additionally, this disclosure concerns a fungicidal composition containing (a) a compound of Formula I, 4-((6-(2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1, 1-difluoro-2-hydroxy-3-(5-mercapto-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propyl)pyridin-3-yl)oxy)benzonitrile and (b) a succinate dehydrogenase-inhibitor, for example fluxapyroxad, benzovindiflupyr, penthiopyrad, isopyrazam, bixafen, boscalid, penflufen, and fluopyram, for control of fungal diseases of cereals.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to the field of agrochemicals, including compound I and it's use to control fungal diseases of barley. Compound (I).

Abstract: Methods for achieving thickening time in cement compositions that would otherwise be unable to achieve at least 70 Bc in the absence of the thickening time modifiers described herein.

Abstract: Personalization of a mobile device, including receiving at the mobile device a unique code; selecting, from a plurality of personalization policies stored on the mobile device a personalization policy that corresponds to the unique code; and storing the selected personalization policy in a persistent protected storage element of the mobile device. Customizing a mobile device, including determining at the mobile device a unique code; selecting, from a plurality of customized data sets stored on the mobile device a data set that corresponds to the unique code; and activating the selected data set on the mobile device.