Abstract: A coating system includes a source of electrically non-insulative coating material, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material toward an article to be coated thereby, and an electrostatic high potential supply for supplying charge to the coating material. The high potential supply is coupled across the dispenser and the article The coating system further includes a reservoir, a valve having a housing providing first, second, third and fourth ports, and a component movable within the housing and having a first passageway selectively to connect the first port to the second port to permit the flow of coating material between the first port and the second port The first port is coupled to the coating material source. The second port is coupled to the reservoir. The third port is coupled to the dispenser The component is movable within the housing selectively to connect the second port to the third port to permit the flow of coating material between the reservoir and the dispenser.

Abstract: A coating system includes a source of electrically non-insulative coating material, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material toward an article to be coated thereby, and an electrostatic high potential supply for supplying charge to the coating material. The high potential supply is coupled across the dispenser and the article. The coating system further includes a reservoir, a valve having a housing providing first, second, third and fourth ports, and a component movable within the housing and having a first passageway selectively to connect the first port to the second port to permit the flow of coating material between the first port and the second port.

Abstract: A valve has a housing and a component movable within the housing. The housing has first, second and third ports formed in it. The movable component has a first passageway formed in it. Movement of the movable component within the housing selectively connects the first port through the first passageway to the second port, or the second port through the first passageway to the third port. At least one of the first and second ports includes a first member for contacting the movable valve component and a second member for retaining the first member. The second member may be constructed from a semiconductive material. At least a region of the movable component around a first end of the first passageway may be semiconductive.

Abstract: A plant propagation system and method are provided for promoting the growth of plant tissue into small plantlets. The plant propagation system includes sealed, semipermeable membrane vessels for completely enclosing plant material therein. The sealed vessels generally are translucent and permeable to gases and liquids while remaining impermeable to biological contaminates. Plant tissue originally extracted from a parent plant can be placed within the sealed vessels and grown heterotrophically. Once the plant material has developed the capability to photosynthesize, the sealed vessels can be transferred to a greenhouse environment for photoautotrophic growth. Once in a greenhouse environment, the sealed vessels are supported in trays and exposed to light, gases, water and a liquid nutrient solution for optimizing growth. A central controller can be included in order to automate the system for controlling the flow of fluids in and out of the vessel support trays while also monitoring system conditions.

Abstract: A micropropagation system and process for promoting the growth of plant tissue in a sterile environment is provided. The system includes a bioreactor in which the explant tissue is contained and grown. A plurality of fluid reservoirs are connected to the bioreactor for supplying sugar, nutrients, hormones, and water to the plant material. A controller and an analyzer are also included for automating the system by controlling flow rates and by monitoring media concentrations and levels within the bioreactor. Specifically, the controller is capable of monitoring system conditions and making the desired corrections by receiving data from the chemical analyzer. In particular, the controller is capable of calculating and maintaining volume levels of liquid growth media within the bioreactor chamber and maintaining the proper concentrations and proportions of components in the growth media.

Abstract: A plant propagation system and method are provided for promoting the growth of plant tissue into small plantlets. The plant propagation system includes sealed, semipermeable membrane vessels for completely enclosing plant material therein. The sealed vessels generally are translucent and permeable to gases and liquids while remaining impermeable to biological contaminates. Plant tissue originally extracted from a parent plant can be placed within the sealed vessels and grown heterotrophically. Once the plant material has developed the capability to photosynthesize, the sealed vessels can be transferred to a greenhouse environment for photoautotrophic growth. Once in a greenhouse environment, the sealed vessels are supported in trays and exposed to light, gases, water and a liquid nutrient solution for optimizing growth. A central controller can be included in order to automate the system for controlling the flow of fluids in and out of the vessel support trays while also monitoring system conditions.

Abstract: The invention is a highly maneuverable prime mover adapted for normal or orthogonal steering modes. In the normal mode true Ackermann steering is achieved. Either two or four wheel steering may be chosen. When in the orthogonal mode the vehicle is hybrid skid steered. In hybrid steering only one wheel of a side-by-side pair is steered. This greatly simplifies the necessary shifting mechanisms. Each wheel is driven by an individual hydraulic motor supplied from a main system. In the preferred version the prime mover has a turret capable of 360.degree. rotation. This turret preferably has a universal mounting capable of holding various types of lifting tools. The prime mover is especially well adapted for use with a tool head comprising an array of parallel screws or chains which can rapidly pick up, transport, and deposit objects such as container grown nursery plants.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus and method for accumulating or dispensing planar tray-like objects which are being received from or supplied to a conveyor system. It consists of a supporting frame on which there is an elevator. The elevator has a table on which there are transport rails or rolls compatible with the rest of the system in which the accumulating and dispensing apparatus is operating. The apparatus also contains a plurality of tray-retainers which are mounted on the frame and are normally located some distance above the plane in which the elevator table is in line with the external transport system. As trays or similar objects are received into the apparatus they are lifted one at a time by the elevator onto the bottom of an accumulating stack. The lowest tray of the stack is held by the tray-retainers while the higher members of the stack rest by gravity on the lowest tray. When a stack of the desired size is accumulated it may be released as a unit from the apparatus.