Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of host defense inducers for controlling selected bacterial harmful organisms in useful plants, wherein the bacterial harmful organisms are selected from the group consisting of Acidovorax avenae, Burkholderia spec., Burkholderia glumae, Candidatus Liberibacter spec., Corynebacterium, Erwinia spec., Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidae, Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans, Streptomyces spp., Xanthomonas spp., Xanthomonas axonopodis, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines, Xanthomonas campestris, Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum, Xanthomonas campestris pv. pruni, Xanthomonas fragariae and Xanthomonas transluscens. In a preferred aspect of the invention the host defense inducer is isotianil.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus for determining a property of a fuel such as a gasoline and ethanol blend known as flex fuel includes an acetal plastic tube with an inlet, an outlet and a fuel passage in between. One property of the fuel is a dielectric constant. A pair of sensing plates are placed on opposite sides of the tube leaving the fuel passage unobstructed. A processing circuit on a printed circuit board (PCB) is located near to and is connected with the sensing plates. The circuit applies an excitation signal, senses a capacitance, and generates an output signal indicative of a property of the fuel. The sensed capacitance will increase with increasing concentration of ethanol in the fuel flowing through the passage. A shield for reducing EMI surrounds and encloses the sensing plates and the PCB. An interface connector allows the sensing apparatus to output the capacitance indicative signal to an engine controller or the like.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating an electrical parameter of a circuit-under-test (e.g., resistance, capacitance and/or inductance). The method acquires samples during a plurality of charging cycles rather than during just one, which allows an extended overall time period to acquire such samples. The first step involves defining a major sampling period having a plurality of minor sampling periods. A number of steps are performed for each minor sampling period: applying an excitation signal to the circuit-under-test to produce a respective induced, response signal and acquiring a respective sample of the induced signal at a respective predetermined deferral time. In an embodiment where the circuit-under-test includes an unknown capacitance, the excitation signal may be a unit step while an increase in the induced signal is governed by a charging time constant, which itself is indicative of the unknown capacitive.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a flex fuel sensing apparatus having a fuel passage involves the use of a generally solid test blank having a size and shape configured to match that of the fuel passage. The test blank comprises material having a known, predetermined dielectric constant. The test blank is inserted into the fuel passage where the dielectric constant of the test blank is operative to simulate the presence of various gasoline and ethanol fuel blends. The test blank may also comprise a deformable/compressible solid such as rubber where the test blank is compressed during calibration to eliminate air gaps or the like, improving accuracy. The use of the solid test blank reduces complexity compared to using actual gasoline/ethanol blends for calibration as well as reduces post-calibration cleanup.

Abstract: A sensor circuit is coupled to a sensing element for determining a property, such as a dielectric constant, of a fuel. The circuit includes an excitation voltage signal generator, a synchronization trigger and a processing circuit configured to generate an output signal indicative of the fuel property. The excitation signal is applied to the sensing element to produce an induced current signal. The synchronization trigger generates a trigger signal when the excitation signal crosses zero volts, at which time the real (resistive) component of the induced current signal is zero. The induced signal is therefore wholly representative of the imaginary component attributable to a capacitance of the fuel, which in turn is dependent on the dielectric constant (and thus ethanol concentration) of the fuel blend. The processing circuit is configured to sample the induced signal in response to the trigger signal and produce the output signal.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus for determining a property of a fuel such as a gasoline and ethanol blend known as flex fuel includes an acetal plastic tube with an inlet, an outlet and a fuel passage in between. One property is a dielectric constant. A pair of semi-circular shaped sensing plates are placed around the tube in concentric relation therewith, leaving the fuel passage unobstructed. A processing circuit on a printed circuit board (PCB) is located near and connected with the sensing plates. The circuit applies an excitation signal, senses a capacitance, and generates an output signal indicative of a property of the fuel. A shield for reducing EMI surrounds and encloses the sensing plates and the PCB. The sensed capacitance will increase with increasing concentration of ethanol in the fuel flowing through the passage. An interface connector allows the sensing apparatus to output the indicative signal to an engine controller.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus for determining a property of a fuel such as a gasoline and ethanol blend known as flex fuel includes an acetal plastic tube with an inlet, an outlet and a fuel passage in between. One property of the fuel is a dielectric constant. A pair of sensing plates are placed on opposite sides of the tube leaving the fuel passage unobstructed. A processing circuit on a printed circuit board (PCB) is located near to and is connected with the sensing plates. The circuit applies an excitation signal, senses a capacitance, and generates an output signal indicative of a property of the fuel. The sensed capacitance will increase with increasing concentration of ethanol in the fuel flowing through the passage. A shield for reducing EMI surrounds and encloses the sensing plates and the PCB. An interface connector allows the sensing apparatus to output the capacitance indicative signal to an engine controller or the like.

Abstract: A sensor circuit is coupled to a sensing element for determining a property, such as a dielectric constant, of a fuel suitable where the dielectric constant is used in determining a concentration of ethanol in the gasoline/ethanol blended fuel. The circuit includes an excitation voltage signal generator, a synchronization trigger and a processing circuit configured to generate an output signal indicative of the fuel property (dielectric constant). The excitation voltage signal is applied to the sensing element to produce an induced current signal therethrough. The synchronization trigger is configured to generate a trigger signal when the excitation voltage signal crosses zero volts, at which time the real (resistive) component of the induced current signal is zero.