Abstract: An internal combustion engine and a method of operation are described involving: supplying intake gas from an intake manifold (18) to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in a cylinder (11); selectively operating an air intake valve using a first operating profile (30) and, on demand, switching selective operation of the air intake valve to a second operating profile (31) in which the closing of the air intake valve is delayed compared to the closing of the air intake valve using the first operating profile; wherein at the point (43) of or prior to switching from the first operating profile to the second operating profile the pressure of the intake gas in the intake manifold is increased.

Abstract: An automatic drilling system includes a top drive comprising a proximity sensor disposed in a housing thereof. A portion of the top drive is coupled to elevators through load transfer springs such that axial loading applied to the elevators results in relative movement between a link load collar and a load ring. A proximity sensor is mounted such that the relative movement results in a change in signal output thereof. A processor is in signal communication with the proximity sensor and is configured to operate a drive shaft motor. The processor is configured to disable rotation of the motor when the relative movement is indicative of axial loading on the elevators.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of at least one 3-isoxazolidone herbicide selected from the group consisting of 2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-isoxazolidone and 2-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)methyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-isoxazolidone as a selective herbicide in a grass or brassica crop selected from the group consisting of corn, rice, sorghum, barley, rye, and canola.

Abstract: New formulations of clomazone are provided, as well as new methods for making formulations of clomazone. The new formulations provide improved efficacy, decreased volatility, and/or increased loading of clomazone over the clomazone formulations in the prior art.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and a method of operation are described involving: supplying intake gas from an intake manifold (18) to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in a cylinder (11); selectively operating an air intake valve using a first operating profile (30) and, on demand, switching selective operation of the air intake valve to a second operating profile (31) in which the closing of the air intake valve is delayed compared to the closing of the air intake valve using the first operating profile; wherein at the point (43) of or prior to switching from the first operating profile to the second operating profile the pressure of the intake gas in the intake manifold is increased.

Abstract: An automatic drilling system includes a top drive comprising a proximity sensor disposed in a housing thereof. A portion of the top drive is coupled to elevators through load transfer springs such that axial loading applied to the elevators results in relative movement between a link load collar and a load ring. A proximity sensor is mounted such that the relative movement results in a change in signal output thereof. A processor is in signal communication with the proximity sensor and is configured to operate a drive shaft motor. The processor is configured to disable rotation of the motor when the relative movement is indicative of axial loading on the elevators.

Abstract: An automatic top drive positioning system includes a top drive having a pipe handling system rotator gear, a drive motor rotationally coupled to the rotator gear and a rotational position sensor rotationally coupled to the rotator gear. A controller is configured to operate the drive motor to automatically move the rotator gear to a selected rotational orientation based on measurements from the rotational position sensor.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a turbocharger arrangement having a high pressure turbocharger and a low pressure turbocharger connected in series. The low pressure turbine has first and second volutes and the arrangement includes a control valve which controls the proportion of exhaust gas which is directed through the first and second passages to the first and second volutes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for protecting a plant from infection by a pathogen by decreasing the presence of a plant hormone or reducing the responsiveness of a plant to a plant hormone. In particular, the invention related to infection by a necrotrophic pathogen, such as Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) and the plant hormone is selected from ethylene or gibberellin.

Abstract: An adjustably mounted side rigger for use on a fishing boat that tends fishing line from a fishing rod outward from the boat during trolling. The side rigger extends a fishing line to the side of the boat during trolling in order to prevent the line from entangling with other trolling lines originating from the boat. The side rigger contains a rod holder base adapted to fit inside an existing rod holder on a fishing boat for portability, flexibility of use, and lower cost than a traditional outrigger. The rod holder base and a telescoping pole mounted to the side rigger that extends the fishing line outward from the boat, are both adapted to be rotated or swiveled by a user to allow the side rigger to be used on either side of the boat and used in a variety of different angled and positioned fishing boat rod holders for maximum flexibility.

Abstract: An adjustably mounted side rigger for use on a fishing boat that tends fishing line from a fishing rod outward from the boat during trolling. The side rigger extends a fishing line to the side of the boat during trolling in order to prevent the line from entangling with other trolling lines originating from the boat. The side rigger contains a rod holder base adapted to fit inside an existing rod holder on a fishing boat for portability, flexibility of use, and lower cost than a traditional outrigger. The rod holder base and a telescoping pole mounted to the side rigger that extends the fishing line outward from the boat, are both adapted to be rotated or swiveled by a user to allow the side rigger to be used on either side of the boat and used in a variety of different angled and positioned fishing boat rod holders for maximum flexibility.

Abstract: Pesticidal formulations of cadusafos are provided. An aqueous capsule suspension is provided, containing from about 150 to about 360 grams of cadusafos per liter of formulation and having lower mammalian toxicity than aqueous cadusafos microemulsion formulations is prepared by interfacial polymerization of a first polyfunctional compound, such as a polymethylene polyphenyl isocyanate, with a second polyfunctional compound, such as a polyfunctional amine or mixtures of polyfunctional amines, in an aqueous phase optionally containing from about 0.05 to about 0.50 xanthan gum viscosity modifier/stabilizer. A granular form of the microencapsulated cadusafos is also provided. Several such formulations and the method of their preparation are described.

Abstract: An herbicidal composition containing from 1 to 4 pounds of clomazone per gallon of formulation and having a clomazone volatility less than fifty percent of that of an emulsifiable concentrate containing four pounds of clomazone per gallon of formulation is prepared by the interfacial reaction of polymethylene polyphenyl isocyanate with a polyfunctional amine selected from ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, 1,6-hexanediamine, and their mixtures in an aqueous phase optionally containing from 0.05 to 0.25 weight percent of a xanthan gum viscosity modified/stabilizer. Several such formulations and the method of their preparation are described.

Abstract: An herbicidal composition containing from 1 to 4 pounds of clomazone per gallon of formulation and having a clomazone volatility less than fifty percent of that of an emulsifiable concentrate containing four pounds of clomazone per gallon of formulation is prepared by the interfacial reaction of polymethylene polyphenyl isocyanate with a polyfunctional amine selected from ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, 1,6-hexanediamine, and their mixtures in an aqueous phase optionally containing from 0.05 to 0.25 weight percent of a xanthan gum viscosity modified/stabilizer. Several such formulations and the method of their preparation are described.