Abstract: An optical element includes an optical block constructed of a first material having a % transmission of at least 50% throughout a spectral range of 300 nm to 2700 nm through at least a thickness of the optical block. The optical block comprises a surface. A grating layer constructed of a second material is disposed on the surface of the optical block, the grating layer comprising a first surface that is directly in contact with the surface of the optical block and a second surface comprising a plurality of diffraction features forming a diffraction grating.

Abstract: There is provided method of analyzing a field of crops using a drone. The method initially includes remotely controlling the drone to fly the drone to adjacent the field of crops. The method further includes remotely controlling the drone to land the drone adjacent the crops. The method further includes remotely controlling the drone to drive the drone on the ground along the crops. The method further includes capturing ground-based images of the crops at an upward view angle using a multispectral camera on-board the drone.

Abstract: There is provided method of analyzing a field of crops using a drone. The method initially includes remotely controlling the drone to fly the drone to adjacent the field of crops. The method further includes remotely controlling the drone to land the drone adjacent the crops. The method further includes remotely controlling the drone to drive the drone on the ground along the crops. The method further includes capturing ground-based images of the crops at an upward view angle using a multispectral camera on-board the drone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying the position of a magnetic shaft are provided. N field sensors are adjacently positioned at fixed locations relative to the shaft's periodic field, corresponding to 180/N relative phase shifts. A table provides N>2 predetermined signal models and a pre-identified position associated with each. An interpolator compares a representation of the N measured sensor signals to at least two predetermined models to generate a correction signal that provides another pre-identified position. The correction signal depends on N sensors for every position of the shaft. The correction signal is used to incrementally choose said another pre-identified position from the table as an approximate position of the shaft in an iterative process to find the minimum correction signal and identify the position.

Abstract: A linear motor comprising a stator core and/or a mover. The stator core of said linear motor comprising an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter essentially encircling the inner perimeter, a first and a second tooth being arranged along one of the inner perimeter or the outer perimeter, a slot for receiving a stator coil, said slot being a cavity arranged within the stator core, wherein said stator core is divided into a first stator part and a second stator part, said first stator part including the first tooth, being arranged to partially define the slot, and being made of soft magnetic powder, and said second stator part including the second tooth, being arranged to partially define the slot, and being made of soft magnetic powder.

Abstract: A device for lifting and otherwise manipulating large landscaping materials and other like objects. The lifting device generally includes a pair of arms pivotally interconnected to one another at a pivot joint, a separate shackle mounted to the upper end of each arm and a lift ring interconnected with the shackles. The lifting device may include laterally extending jaws affixed to the lower end of each arm. The arms may be generally “S”-shaped having a lower portion curving about a center on the interior side of the arm and an upper portion curving about a center on the exterior side of the arm.

Abstract: Magnetic motor component sleeves (209) for motor components with the sleeves (209) having various helpful magnetic characteristics, such as high magnetic permeability; magnetic saturation; residual (or remanent) magnetization; anisotropic magnetic properties. Method for making a magnetic linear motor shaft (202), including thermal treatment to temporarily change the dimensions of various shaft components to allow tight assembly.