Abstract: Here invented is method and apparatus for control of ground surface radiative effects. A material is laid out in a field in anticipation of frost or in expectation of crop damage from powdery mildew. The material causes radiative heat loss to the cold night sky due to its low emissivity and it causes ultraviolet-C in natural sunlight to be directed upward to impinge on mildew spores on vegetation where it would be otherwise shaded from the sun.

Abstract: Here invented is a vineyard configuration for maximizing use of the resources of land and sun. It is a configuration based on a low and narrow tractor that enables both narrow spacing of rows of plants in vineyards and formation of canopies that enable nearly complete usage of impinging sunlight.

Abstract: Here invented is a mobile vehicle that is a narrow work platform for work in narrow row spaces between crops planted in rows. The frame of this platform holds and allows operation of attached wheels but also provides a low floor surface from where a worker can access crops adjacent to the vehicle. Worker actions as needed to tend crops at various heights down to ground level are supported by this apparatus. The low floor is configured to enable access to the adjacent ground level just beyond the track of the vehicle wheels. This involves floor openings with flexible surfaces that close such openings. The flexible surfaces also act as a soft edge of the floor to prevent serious crushing injury of workers, particularly in fall down situations.

Abstract: Narrow agricultural vehicles have been invented to make farm labor more attractive, to enable enhanced productivity of workers, and to make possible more complete usage of the land. A low seating position is provided for a worker. The width of the vehicle is approximately the same width as the seated worker, enabling vehicle use with narrowly spaced row crops. The wheel set is configured for both maximum stability and efficient operation on soft surfaces, using large drum wheels that maximize the footprint area. The vehicle structure includes a wide frame section and a low and narrow tongue structure that connects between front and rear wheel arrangements. The tongue configuration minimizes interference with work of said worker.

Abstract: Here invented are efficient road vehicles having special aerodynamic shapes, with stabilizing provisions that enable aerodynamic efficiency. It is a vehicle that is configured to include a carriage part that encloses a driver and passenger riding in tandem. This car width is for persons seated in single file, enabling a narrow width that makes a body shaped like an airship practical, where that shape is characterized by a very low drag coefficient in free flow conditions. This body is elevated on struts above a wheel system to enable such free flow aerodynamic conditions, thus, the drag coefficient of the airship is made applicable to this road vehicle. The wheel system includes wheels on each side of the vehicle that are arranged in horizontal columns, to which the struts are attached. The horizontal columns act as individual aerodynamic entities that function independently of the carriage aerodynamic operation.

Abstract: The vehicle is narrow such that it can pass through narrow space. The overall vehicle is approximately the same width as a seated worker. Stabilization is provided by wheel rigidity of a front and a rear wheel set that is configured to give a stable vehicle stance, even though it is exceptionally narrow. Energy efficient operation is achieved with wheels having approximately continuous ground contact from edge to edge of a wheel, thus maximizing ground contact area. The narrow vehicle is an articulated configuration that enables agile turning. This articulated turning capability is especially suited for load carrying situations.

Abstract: Narrow agricultural vehicles have been invented to make farm labor more attractive, to enable enhanced productivity of workers, and to make possible more complete usage of land. This involves making the width of the vehicle approximately the same width as a seated worker, thus enabling vehicle use with narrowly spaced row crops. The wheel set is configured for both maximum stability and efficient operation on soft surfaces using large drum wheels that maximize a rigid, footprint area. To enhance effectiveness of such vehicles, a seat apparatus is included to enable the seated worker to function without intrusion beyond a single narrow row space, yet sit in varied positions that are appropriate for field work and are conducive to increased productivity, comfort, and safety. The vehicle structure includes a narrow tongue structure that connects between front and rear wheel arrangements with minimal interference with work of said worker.

Abstract: Narrow harvest vehicles have been invented to make farm labor more attractive, to enable enhanced productivity of workers, and to make possible more complete usage of the land. A low seating position is provided for a worker. The width of the vehicle is approximately the same width as the seated worker, enabling vehicle use with narrowly spaced row crops. The wheel set is configured for both maximum stability and efficient operation on soft surfaces, using large drum wheels that maximize the footprint area. Apparatus is provided to enable gathering, collecting, and transporting produce in a manner consistent with operation in a narrow row space that avoids loading said vehicle in a destabilizing way and protects stacked produce from handling damage.

Abstract: Narrow agricultural vehicles have been invented to make farm labor more attractive, to enable enhanced productivity of workers, and to make possible more complete usage of the land. A low seating position is provided for a worker. The width of the vehicle is approximately the same width as the seated worker, enabling vehicle use with narrowly spaced row crops. The wheel set is configured for both maximum stability and efficient operation on soft surfaces, using large drum wheels that maximize the footprint area. The vehicle structure includes a wide frame section and a low and narrow tongue structure that connects between front and rear wheel arrangements. The tongue configuration minimizes interference with work of said worker.

Abstract: Invented are narrow vehicles for operation on soft surfaces for agricultural use. These would enhance worker productivity and make the work more attractive. It is essential that such vehicles be simple and low cost to enable wide adaptation. Such vehicles include a frame and a wheel set that enables a low seating position for a rider. This low seat position changes requirements for stability compared to most, familiar vehicle types. The intended low speed operation further eases the requirement for stability measures. The width of the vehicle is approximately the same width as the seated rider which enables vehicle use with narrowly spaced row crops. Wide drum wheels provide the needed stability, and with large diameter the drum has maximized footprint area which minimizes penetration into the soft underlying surface, enabling high efficiency operation.

Abstract: Here invented are efficient road vehicles having special aerodynamic shapes, with stabilizing provisions that enable aerodynamic efficiency. It is a vehicle that is configured to include a carriage part that encloses a driver and passenger riding in tandem. This car width is for persons seated in single file, enabling a narrow width that makes a body shaped like an airship practical, where that shape is characterized by a very low drag coefficient in free flow conditions. This body is elevated on struts above a wheel system to enable such free flow aerodynamic conditions, thus, the drag coefficient of the airship is made applicable to this road vehicle. The wheel system includes wheels on each side of the vehicle that are arranged in horizontal columns, to which the struts are attached. The horizontal columns act as individual aerodynamic entities that function independently of the carriage aerodynamic operation.

Abstract: The invention is a two part wheeled vehicle that has an upper part that is an aerodynamic shell and a lower part that is a wheel system. This vehicle is constructed to hold the shell at a height above the road that allows significant air flow under the shell, thus causing improved aerodynamic performance. This elevated shell is built to eliminate side door openings to allow uninterrupted protective side structure. Access involves opening the shell to allow entry to a sitting position that is protected by the side structure. Closure restores the aerodynamic properties of the shell. Seats are movable such that a walkway is made clear for motorists to walk to a position ahead of their respective seats. A car roof top can be opened to enable motorists to walk, nearly erect, into the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention is a wheeled vehicle that has an aerodynamic shell where the vehicle is built to eliminate side door openings to allow uninterrupted protective side structure. Access involves opening the shell to allow entry to the vehicle from an end. Closure restores the aerodynamic properties of the shape. Seats are movable such that a walkway is made clear for motorists to walk to a position ahead of their respective seats. A car roof top can be opened to enable motorists to walk, nearly erect, into the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a critical breakthrough in wheeled vehicle concepts, by enabling stable vehicle operations, where wheelbase configuration varies in relation to the need for roll preventing force. This enables a new form of automobile that is especially suited for electric adaptation. The invention is an articulated vehicle that includes a stabilizer part and a carriage part where the two parts are linked by a two axis joint that locks the parts together in regard to relative roll motion, but allows pitch attitude and yaw attitude of each part to be mutually independent. Such a joint allows wheels to maintain firm contact with road surfaces while liking to cause the carriage to follow the stabilizer, and enables roll stabiliztion effects. In a turn condition, the stabilizer extends a wheel toward the outside of the turn such that upward force on that wheel counters roll torque that occurs due to radial acceleration due to the turning radius and speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: Improved focusing of waves is accomplished by compensation for attenuation effects in a medium. The invention is a combination of a method of attenuation leveling to allow operation over uneven surfaces and a method of signal compensation for attenuation that varies with frequency. This combination allows effective focusing of wide band wave signals that operate through irregular surfaces that cause uneven attenuation effects. Apparatus is provided to implement this method in clinical applications and research applications. Spatial attenuation leveling is accomplished with material that attenuates like the body part to be imaged. Compensation for attenuation that varies with frequency is provided by electronic modification of signal waveforms. Applications in the field of ultrasonic imaging in human tissue are specifically discussed. The apparatus includes conformal surfaces that are in contact with a patient's body that serve to prevent direct contact of the body with the attenuating material.

Abstract: The channeled wavefield transformer enables multi-dimensional wavefield signal processing which leads to significant expansion of the engineering field of electronic signal processing. The term “wavefield” is used to indicate one or more waves that operate in at least two dimensions of space where spatial form of a wave can be represented by a wavefront that is a surface of points of equal phase. This transformer produces an output wavefield in a clear medium in response to an arbitrary input wavefield. This is carried out using multiple channels that connect input sensing devices to respective output transmitting devices, through general electrical or optical networks. The input devices are arranged along an input surface and the output transmitting devices are arranged along an output surface. An output wavefield emerges from the output surface to propagate in an output wavefield space.

Abstract: The channeled wavefield transformer enables multi-dimensional wavefield signal processing which leads to significant expansion of the engineering field of electronic signal processing. The term “wavefield” is used to indicate one or more waves that operate in at least two dimensions of space where spatial form of a wave can be represented by a wavefront that is a surface of points of equal phase. This transformer produces an output wavefield in a clear medium in response to an arbitrary input wavefield. This is carried out using multiple channels that connect input sensing devices to respective output transmitting devices. The input devices are arranged along an input surface and the output transmitting devices are arranged along an output surface. An output wavefield emerges from the output surface to propagate in an output wavefield space.

Abstract: Improved focusing of waves is accomplished by compensation for attenuation effects in a medium. The invention is a combination of a method of attenuation leveling to allow operation over uneven surfaces and a method of signal compensation for attenuation that varies with frequency. This combination allows effective focusing of wide band wave signals that operate through irregular surfaces that cause uneven attenuation effects. Apparatus is provided to implement this method in clinical applications and research applications. Spatial attenuation leveling is accomplished with material that attenuates like the body part to be imaged. Compensation for attenuation that varies with frequency is provided by electronic modification of signal waveforms. Applications in the field of ultrasonic imaging in human tissue are specifically discussed. The apparatus includes conformal surfaces that are in contact with a patient's body that serve to prevent direct contact of the body with the attenuating material.

Abstract: The present invention solves a problem that has been a barrier to development of high resolution ultrasonic imaging. It is based on an analysis that formulates the 5 problem of wave propagation in an inhomogeneous medium as a summation of an ideal wave and distortion waves. This analysis then leads to an apparatus that includes a forward propagation apparatus that enables measurement of the distortion waves and determination of corrections that are applied to originally received signals such that the ideal wave is left as the only basis for the final output signal. After signals are corrected, basic beamforming processes work as if the propagation medium was homogeneous such that ideal high resolution performance is achievable. The method is generally useful for improving any form of wave propagation system that is disturbed by inhomogeneities in the medium.

Abstract: Improved ultrasonic wave propagation in connection with operation of ultrasonic imaging systems is made possible by the method of attenuation leveling. Attenuation leveling allows effective focusing of systems that operate through irregular surfaces that cause uneven attenuation effects. Apparatus is provided to implement this method in clinical applications and research applications. The basic attenuation leveling is accomplished with material that attenuates like the body part to be imaged. The apparatus includes conformal surfaces that are in contact with a patient's body that serve to prevent direct contact of the body with the attenuating material. It also includes fairing surfaces that modify shape of a patient's body to enable scanning of surfaces. Alternate devices include stand-off devices and immersion configurations.