Abstract: Crop input application systems, methods and apparatus are provided. In some embodiments, an irrigation system is provided with a reel in fluid communication with a liquid source. In some embodiments, a drop assembly is incorporated in an irrigation system. In some embodiments, a crop applicator system includes a reel positioned between adjacent rows of crop.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to roofing shingles and palleted pluralities thereof that have a reduced susceptibility to damage during shipment.

Abstract: A system and method for interrupting a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based automatic steering mode of a hydraulic steering system on a vehicle. When a steering wheel is manually turned by an operator, pressurized hydraulic fluid from a steering directional control valve activates an interrupter having an interrupter valve. The interrupter valve blocks pressurized fluid flow to the automatic steering system, thus overriding automatic steering and giving the operator full manual steering control via the steering wheel. The hydraulic interrupt system is mechanical with no electronic elements.

Abstract: A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) based control system is provided for positioning a working component relative to a work surface, such as an agricultural spray boom over a crop field. Inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, are mounted on the working component and provide positioning signals to a control processor. A method of positioning a working component relative to a work surface using GNSS-based positioning signals is also disclosed. Further disclosed is a work order management system and method, which can be configured for controlling the operation of multiple vehicles, such as agricultural sprayers each equipped with GNSS-based spray boom height control subsystems. The sprayers can be remotely located from each other on multiple crop fields, and can utilize GNSS-based, field-specific terrain models for controlling their spraying operations.

Abstract: A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) based control system is provided for positioning a working component relative to a work surface, such as an agricultural spray boom over a crop field. Inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, are mounted on the working component and provide positioning signals to a control processor. A method of positioning a working component relative to a work surface using GNSS-based positioning signals is also disclosed. Further disclosed is a work order management system and method, which can be configured for controlling the operation of multiple vehicles, such as agricultural sprayers each equipped with GNSS-based spray boom height control subsystems. The sprayers can be remotely located from each other on multiple crop fields, and can utilize GNSS-based, field-specific terrain models for controlling their spraying operations.

Abstract: A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) based control system is provided for positioning a working component relative to a work surface, such as an agricultural spray boom over a crop field. Inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, are mounted on the working component and provide positioning signals to a control processor. A method of positioning a working component relative to a work surface using GNSS-based positioning signals is also disclosed. Further disclosed is a work order management system and method, which can be configured for controlling the operation of multiple vehicles, such as agricultural sprayers each equipped with GNSS-based spray boom height control subsystems. The sprayers can be remotely located from each other on multiple crop fields, and can utilize GNSS-based, field-specific terrain models for controlling their spraying operations.

Abstract: A system and method for interrupting a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based automatic steering mode of a hydraulic steering system on a vehicle. When a steering wheel is manually turned by an operator, pressurized hydraulic fluid from a steering directional control valve activates an interrupter having an interrupter valve. The interrupter valve blocks pressurized field flow to the automatic steering system, thus overriding automatic steering and giving the operator full manual steering control via the steering wheel. The hydraulic interrupt system is mechanical with no electronic elements.

Abstract: A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) based control system is provided for positioning a working component relative to a work surface. Inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, are mounted on the working component and provide positioning signals to a control compute engine. A method of positioning a working component relative to a work surface using GNSS-based positioning signals is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for interrupting a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based automatic steering mode of a hydraulic steering system on a vehicle. When a steering wheel is manually turned by an operator, pressurized hydraulic fluid from a steering directional control valve activates an interrupter having an interrupter valve. The interrupter valve blocks pressurized fluid flow to the automatic steering system, thus overriding automatic steering and giving the operator full manual steering control via the steering wheel. The hydraulic interrupt system is mechanical with no electronic elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to intermediating credit report requests to a credit bureau between a prospective creditor and a prospective debtor. The system includes a server with an intermediary database for receipt and storage of prospective creditor identifying information, prospective debtor identifying information, with the prospective debtor identifying information including at least one key to credit bureau credit report information for said prospective debtor. The server is configured to receive an electronic communication from the prospective debtor authorizing a prospective creditor to access the credit report of the prospective debtor and storing the authorization in the intermediary database. The server conditionally retrieves the credit report of the prospective debtor from the credit bureau upon confirmation of the prospective debtor to prospective creditor authorization, and transmits the credit report to the prospective creditor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a medical device is disclosed. The method comprises laser cutting a tubular member. The tubular member may have an inner surface, an outer surface and a tubular wall defining a thickness extending therebetween. The method may also include laser cutting the member. Laser cutting may include removing a portion of the thickness of the tubular wall at one or more discrete locations along the tubular wall. The method may also include chemically etching the one or more discrete locations to form a slot within the tubular wall at the one or more discrete locations along the tubular member.

Abstract: A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) based control system is provided for positioning a working component relative to a work surface, such as an agricultural spray boom over a crop field. Inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, are mounted on the working component and provide positioning signals to a control processor. A method of positioning a working component relative to a work surface using GNSS-based positioning signals is also disclosed. Further disclosed is a work order management system and method, which can be configured for controlling the operation of multiple vehicles, such as agricultural sprayers each equipped with GNSS-based spray boom height control subsystems. The sprayers can be remotely located from each other on multiple crop fields, and can utilize GNSS-based, field-specific terrain models for controlling their spraying operations.

Abstract: A ventilation cap includes a tube portion, a vent portion, and an upper portion. The tube portion is configured to releasably engage with a vent pipe. The vent portion extends from the tube portion to define a common pathway formed therein. The vent portion has at least three interconnected adjacent sides. Each of the sides includes one or more upright ribs, and multiple contiguous ribs laterally extending from the upright ribs to define openings in fluid communication with the common pathway. The contiguous ribs at one or more sides have an intermediate segment with an increased cross-sectional area. The contiguous ribs taper laterally from the intermediate segment to ends. The upper portion is disposed above the vent portion and connected to an upper end of the upright ribs.

Abstract: A system and method for interrupting a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based automatic steering mode of a hydraulic steering system on a vehicle. When a steering wheel is manually turned by an operator, pressurized hydraulic fluid from a steering directional control valve activates an interrupter having an interrupter valve. The interrupter valve blocks pressurized fluid flow to the automatic steering system, thus overriding automatic steering and giving the operator full manual steering control via the steering wheel. The hydraulic interrupt system is mechanical with no electronic elements.

Abstract: A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) based control system is provided for positioning a working component relative to a work surface. Inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, are mounted on the working component and provide positioning signals to a control compute engine. A method of positioning a working component relative to a work surface using GNSS-based positioning signals is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the photovoltaic generation of electrical energy. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic roofing products for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. One aspect of the invention is a photovoltaic roofing element comprising: a flexible roofing substrate; a photovoltaic element disposed on the flexible roofing substrate; and an electrical connector operatively coupled to the photovoltaic element, wherein the flexible roofing substrate has formed therein a recess shaped to at least partially receive the electrical connector.

Abstract: A ventilation cap includes a tube portion, a vent portion, and an upper portion. The tube portion is configured to releasably engage with a vent pipe. The vent portion extends from the tube portion to define a common pathway formed therein. The vent portion has at least three interconnected adjacent sides. Each of the sides includes one or more upright ribs, and multiple contiguous ribs laterally extending from the upright ribs to define openings in fluid communication with the common pathway. The contiguous ribs at one or more sides have an intermediate segment with an increased cross-sectional area. The contiguous ribs taper laterally from the intermediate segment to ends. The upper portion is disposed above the vent portion and connected to an upper end of the upright ribs.

Abstract: A shingle, a method of making it, and a roof embodying the shingle is provided, in which an exterior surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof.

Abstract: A packaging box is provided, for specialty shingles, wherein there are provided multiple compartments of an interior box, for accommodating shingles, with a sleeve disposed thereabout, and with a handle of the box projecting through an upper wall of the sleeve, with there being no bottom wall for the sleeve, to accommodate ready removal of the sleeve from the multiple-compartment box. A projecting handle of an underlying box can be accommodated in an opening of a next overlying box, when the packages are assembled in stacked relation one upon the other, such as in palletized form.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the photovoltaic generation of electrical energy. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic roofing products for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. One aspect of the invention is a photovoltaic roofing element comprising: a flexible roofing substrate; a photovoltaic element disposed on the flexible roofing substrate; and an electrical connector operatively coupled to the photovoltaic element, wherein the flexible roofing substrate has formed therein a recess shaped to at least partially receive the electrical connector.