Abstract: A magnetized cable in which the magnetic force of the cable is configured to aid in aligning and maintaining alignment of the cable while the cable is being looped for storage and, when the cable is rolled or looped, the magnetic force will aid in keeping the cable coiled. Embodiments of the magnetized cable include an elongated flexible magnetic component (EFMC) of a pliable polymer such as rubber and/or one or more other suitable materials in combination with magnetic particles comprising iron, neodymium, ferrite, cobalt, nickel, and/or other suitable magnetic elements or compounds. The EFMC may be exposed to a strong magnetic field to produce a permanent magnet. The EFMC may be enclosed within a sheathing material of braided textile yarns or another suitable material.

Abstract: A magnetized cable in which the magnetic force of the cable is configured to aid in aligning and maintaining alignment of the cable while the cable is being looped for storage and, when the cable is rolled or looped, the magnetic force will aid in keeping the cable coiled. Embodiments of the magnetized cable include an elongated flexible magnetic component (EFMC) of a pliable polymer such as rubber and/or one or more other suitable materials in combination with magnetic particles comprising iron, neodymium, ferrite, cobalt, nickel, and/or other suitable magnetic elements or compounds. The EFMC may be exposed to a strong magnetic field to produce a permanent magnet. The EFMC may be enclosed within a sheathing material of braided textile yarns or another suitable material.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an oil pan that includes an oil pan having a reservoir configured to hold oil and defined by one or more oil pan walls and an oil pan bottom. The oil pan includes one or more capacitance sensors coupled to a portion of the oil pan walls and configured to sense a capacitance. The oil pan includes a capacitance measuring unit electrically connected to the one or more sensors via one or more conductors and configured to receive each of the sensed capacitances via the one or more conductors and determine capacitance values for each of the sensed capacitances. The oil pan also includes a processor configured to receive the capacitance values and determine the oil level in the oil pan based on the capacitance values.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an oil pan that includes an oil pan having a reservoir configured to hold oil and defined by one or more oil pan walls and an oil pan bottom. The oil pan includes one or more capacitance sensors coupled to a portion of the oil pan walls and configured to sense a capacitance. The oil pan includes a capacitance measuring unit electrically connected to the one or more sensors via one or more conductors and configured to receive each of the sensed capacitances via the one or more conductors and determine capacitance values for each of the sensed capacitances. The oil pan also includes a processor configured to receive the capacitance values and determine the oil level in the oil pan based on the capacitance values.

Abstract: A watering control system includes a bridge device and a flow control device. The bridge device communicates with a web server to maintain a watering schedule. The bridge device also communicates wirelessly with the flow control device. The flow control device includes an annular inlet for connecting to an external faucet or another source of fluid, an annular outlet for connecting to a hose or another water conveying channel, and a conduit positioned in communication with the inlet and the outlet. The flow control device further includes a wireless receiver and a valve. The receiver is configured to receive a wirelessly transmitted valve activation signal from the bridge device and the valve is configured to open in accordance with the activation signal to enable the fluid to flow through the conduit.