Abstract: An awning device to cover the maximum area of a bee hive entrance that is easy to install comprising a rectangular sheet of a flexible material attached to the front and sides of a hive body whereby bee mortality is reduced during spring and summer rains. A further modification of the awning device so that it can be made to encompass the entire hive.

Abstract: A permanent full year inner cover having a transparent base and a central channel for improved ventilation and with ventilation ports that can be used as an additional entrance. A modification of the central channel to allow for an exteriorly controlled bee escape mechanism. An additional enclosure over the central channel to allow for the feeding of sugar syrup. The safety feature of the capabilities to observe, monitor, and feed bees without the removal of the inner cover and the necessity of protective clothing.

Abstract: A laminated coating protects a metal substrate in a highly corrosive and highly erosive environment. A coating of a noble metal, such as gold, is bonded to the metal substrate, such as by electroplating or by flame spray. The noble-metal coating protects the metal substrate from the corrosive effects of a process fluid. A ceramic material, such as chromium oxide or titanium dioxide, is bonded to the noble-metal coating. Ceramic materials resist abrasion very well, which protects the underlying noble-metal coating from the erosive/abrasive effects of the process solution, which may contain suspended solids that are highly abrasive. However, the ceramic material is somewhat porous, which allows some seepage of the process fluid. The metal substrate is protected from the corrosive effects of the process fluid by the noble-metal coating.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for charging a battery in a transported apparatus from the electrical system of a transporting vehicle. In one aspect of the invention there is provided circuit means for determining when a battery has been sufficiently recharged, adapted to be respectively coupled to both the battery of the transported apparatus and the electrical system of the transporting vehicle. The circuit means may include means for determining the status of the battery being charged such as a meter, an array of lights, or an array of light emitting diodes, the number and sequence of illumination being indicative of the extent to which the battery has been recharged.