Abstract: Recyclable and biodegradable and/or industrially compostable plastic formulations that include a recyclable and biodegradable thermoplastic polymer, a recyclable and biodegradable filler, and halloysite are provided. Also provided are articles of manufacture produced using the recyclable and biodegradable and/or compostable plastic formulations. In particular, super chewer toys, e.g. dog bones, made of a recyclable and biodegradable and/or industrially compostable plastic formulation are described.

Abstract: Precision agriculture methods and systems where drone images of an agricultural field are captured by a UAV and analyzed to generate information regarding the agricultural field. Items of interest are identified in the images, the pixel-space locations of the items of interest are determined, and the world-space locations of the items of interest are then determined using the pixel-space locations. The transformation from pixel-space location to world-space location occurs without transforming the images or processing transformed images.

Abstract: Machines, systems, and methods for pre-heating a screed plate (including maintaining the pre-heated screed plate) of a paving machine can comprise a screed assembly including the screed plate; and a thermal cover removably coupleable to or over a bottom working surface of the screed plate. The thermal cover can be movable between a first position where the thermal cover does not cover any portion of the bottom working surface of the screed plate and a second position where the thermal cover covers at least a portion of the bottom working surface of the screed plate.

Abstract: Precision agriculture methods and systems where drone images of an agricultural field are captured by a UAV and analyzed to generate information regarding the agricultural field. Items of interest are identified in the images, the pixel-space locations of the items of interest are determined, and the world-space locations of the items of interest are then determined using the pixel-space locations. The transformation from pixel-space location to world-space location occurs without transforming the images or processing transformed images.

Abstract: A flow control device includes a housing forming an inlet passage, an outlet passage, and a fluid passageway between the inlet passage and the outlet passage. A magnetized shaft is positioned entirely within the housing between the inlet passage and the outlet passage and a plurality of vanes are secured to the magnetized shaft and positioned in the fluid passageway. A first wire coil is moveably positioned around a first end of the magnetized shaft, external of the housing, and is linearly moveable in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the magnetized shaft.

Abstract: A flow control device includes a housing forming an inlet passage, an outlet passage, and a fluid passageway between the inlet passage and the outlet passage. A magnetized shaft is positioned entirely within the housing between the inlet passage and the outlet passage and a plurality of vanes are secured to the magnetized shaft and positioned in the fluid passageway. A first wire coil is moveably positioned around a first end of the magnetized shaft, external of the housing, and is linearly moveable in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the magnetized shaft.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle system, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, that includes a camera system with replaceable camera modules that have different spectral, optical and/or sensing characteristics from one another. By replacing one camera module with another camera module, different information can be gathered and analyzed by the camera system of the aerial vehicle system.

Abstract: Spectral filtering or shaping is applied to an imaging system of an aerial vehicle such as a UAV to ensure that the measurements between a camera system and an ambient light sensor system are proportional under all light conditions. The spectral filtering is applied so that the resulting spectral sensitivity curves of the ambient light sensor system and of the camera system are proportional to one another over a spectral region. Thereafter, it is determined if there is a difference between a target ambient lighting condition and a real-time ambient lighting condition collected by the ambient light sensor system when an image was obtained. If a difference exists, a color correction can be applied to the image. This results in more accurate color correction and more spectrally accurate and consistent images.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides a technical solution for various technical problems associated with precision agriculture imagery. A technical solution for stitching together successive passes of captured images may include using multiple image capture devices, where the image capture devices have different fields of view. A first camera may be used to provide a first field of view (FOV), and may be configured to provide a selected ground sample distance (GSD) for precision agriculture imagery analysis. A second camera may be used to provide a wider FOV, and may be used to provide sufficient stitching process overlap between images captured in successive passes.

Abstract: In one example, an unmanned aerial vehicle includes a fuselage and a lift assembly. The lift assembly is selected from a plurality of lift assemblies, each of the plurality of lift assemblies having a different flight modality. The fuselage includes a mounting portion configured to mount with any of the plurality of lift assemblies.

Abstract: A gimbal assembly including a gimbal housing having opposed first and second yoke portions dimensioned and configured to receive a surveillance device therebetween, the yoke portions defining a gimbal axis about which the surveillance device can rotate relative to the gimbal housing, and a drive assembly disposed within the first yoke portion of the gimbal housing for driving the surveillance device about the gimbal axis, the drive assembly having a connector adapted and configured to mate with and pass electrical signals to and from a corresponding connector on the surveillance device, wherein the second yoke portion is detachable from the gimbal housing to gain access to the surveillance device and the surveillance device is removably connected to the drive assembly.

Abstract: A gimbal assembly including a gimbal housing having opposed first and second yoke portions dimensioned and configured to receive a surveillance device therebetween, the yoke portions defining a gimbal axis about which the surveillance device can rotate relative to the gimbal housing, and a drive assembly disposed within the first yoke portion of the gimbal housing for driving the surveillance device about the gimbal axis, the drive assembly having a connector adapted and configured to mate with and pass electrical signals to and from a corresponding connector on the surveillance device, wherein the second yoke portion is detachable from the gimbal housing to gain access to the surveillance device and the surveillance device is removably connected to the drive assembly.

Abstract: An optical connector having alignment members for aligning with a connector on two mutually perpendicular axis with the optical connector including a displaceable block carrying optical fibers therein that is spatially positionable along a third axis to provide optical communication through the optical connector even though the optical connector may not have continuous optical fibers extending therethrough.

Abstract: A compact disc box container assembly for holding a number of compact disc container boxes and for displaying, illuminating, and viewing the facial informational indicia of the disc boxes. The holder comprises a pair of opposing longitudinal sides defining a structure with angularly disposed channels, at least two tray members, and at least a pair of end caps slidably engaged to the longitudinal sides. The composition of the composing material includes a fluorescent dyestuff for the illumination of the disc boxes, especially from the edges of the elements that make-up the assembly.