Abstract: A distributed hydrogen generating fence is formed from a plurality of electrolysis units and fence posts. Each unit includes one or more PV cells, an associated electrolysis system powered by electricity generated by the one or more PV cells, and a feed header for feeding water and an electrolyte to the electrolysis system. The electrolysis system is inside the feed header, and is operable to produce hydrogen and oxygen. The units are located between and are supported by mutually adjacent fence posts. The feed header extends in an inclined manner between the mutually adjacent fence posts. A gas header conducts at least the hydrogen from each of the plurality of units to a first remote facility. The fence includes openings allowing the passage of animals, people or vehicles. The openings can be controlled by a gate, or a grate laid across a hole in the ground spanning the opening.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of measuring dissolved mineral isotopes, and other methods related thereto. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods and systems for digitally enhancing an initial image of a material to which a plurality of stains were previously applied, that generally comprise: unmixing the image into a plurality of individual reconstructed images, each individual image corresponding to one of the stains; estimating a residual image corresponding to the difference between the original image and the reconstructed images; adjusting one or more components of the individual images; mixing the adjusted components using one or more estimated mixing coefficients; and adding the residual image to the mixed adjusted components to generate an enhanced image.

Abstract: A pipe gate hinge comprises a substantially U-shaped bracket, at least one pipe attachment member, and at least two post attachment members. The bracket has a first longitudinally extending leg with the distal end portion angled in the first transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis and a second longitudinally extending leg with the distal end portion angled in the second transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis. At least one pipe attachment aperture is in the first leg and one pipe attachment aperture is in the second leg. At least one post attachment aperture is proximate the distal end portion of the first leg and at least one post attachment aperture is proximate the distal end portion of the second leg. At least one pipe attachment member is configured and arranged to be inserted through the pipe attachment apertures to secure the bracket to a vertically extending member of a pipe gate.

Abstract: A method of constructing fences, and fences constructed using the method. Posts are set into the ground. Flat pieces called “floating deadmen” are set on the ground. Braces are sawed off at forty-five degree angles on each end, so that they have flat ends at right angles. A spot on the side of the post is flattened, so a flat end of a brace can fit flush against it. The brace is then placed so that the other one of its flattened ends lies on the floating deadmen. A length of wire is cut, and its ends are joined by a stainer. The loop of wire is then placed around the post and brace, and is tightened using the strainer. The tops of terminal and corner posts are joined to adjacent posts by rails. Fencing wire holders are fastened to the posts, and fencing wire is placed in the holders.

Abstract: A fence post connector includes a securement section for securing the post connector to a fence post and at least one receiving section for receiving an item to be joined. The item to be joined may be the end of a stabilizing fence post, a gate hinge, etc. For attachment to a T-post, a closure member captures the T-post between a pair of spaced arms extending from the receiving section and travel of the post connector along the T-post is limited by adjacent lugs extending from the T-post. These lugs may cooperate with the closure member, an arm, or the portion of the connector spacing the arms, to limit sliding. For attachment to a wood post, at least one arm abuts the post with an opening through which a fastener, such as a nail or screw, extends into the post. The post connector is generally used to connect fence posts in reinforcing configuration and loosely connects the various fence posts.

Abstract: A fence includes upright metal posts and a brace or rail clamped between the posts, where clamping the rail squares the posts with respect to the rail. The posts are anchored in the ground vertically, and the rail is installed horizontally, providing a rigid, H-shaped fence brace. Fence corners are provided by having at least three posts and two rails clamped together, although an additional post and rail can be used for added stability. Each rail preferably has a fixed, U-shaped clamp on each end, and a free, U-shaped clamp is bolted to the fixed clamp, the clamps encircling a fence post and squaring the fence post with respect to the rail. Gate hangers can be clamped to one of the posts to provide a gate post, where the gate hangers can be slid up or down or rotated about the post, providing flexibility for receiving and supporting a gate.

Abstract: An improved fence post system 10 permits insertion of a fence post 12 into the earth and attachment of a support brace without the use of tools. A fence post unit 12 includes an augered base 16, a removable extension piece 14 and a bracket 18. The bracket 18 may be used alternately to support a handlepiece which is rotated in order to auger the post into the ground, and to couple a support brace. Several units may be coupled to form a corner fence post. The base unit is equipped with a stabilizer device 38 for lateral support.

Abstract: A hollow T-shaped wedge member is used for attaching a rectangular collar to a T-post fence post for utilization in conjunction with a bracing system for fences made from such T-posts. The wedge member is shaped to straddle the rear leg of the T-post to produce a wedging engagement between the rear of the front face of the post and the inside of a collar placed over the post. The wedge tightly holds the collar wedged onto the T-post, and aligned with it, and includes a provision for inhibiting withdrawal of the wedge once it is in place.

Abstract: A wire fence T-post brace is formed by a length of rigid metallic material having a transverse soil engaging member adjacent one of its earth penetrating ends. The other end of the brace is pivotally connected with an open angularly shaped brace removably frictionally gripping opposing sides of a T-post when the brace is engaged with the T-post and driven into the soil during the last earth penetrating movement of the T-post which prevents movement of the T-post in the direction of its brace by wire connected with the T-post and tensioned in the direction of the brace.

Abstract: A double action expansion wedge is disclosed for attaching a collar to a T-post fence for utilization in conjunction with a bracing system for fences made from such T-posts. A hollow collar member has internal dimensions selected to slide over the posts, so that the collar can be positioned vertically between the lugs of the post at a desired location. The double action expansion cam wedge secures the collar between adjacent lugs on the post by tightly wedging the collar and post together. The double action expansion causes the top edge of the collar and the bottom edge of the collar both to be wedged against the post to hold the collar in alignment with the post.

Abstract: A connector plate for use with T-posts permitting great versatility in bracing, extending, guying and otherwise enhancing the utility and strength of T-posts. The connector comprises a rigid plate having a minor portion and a major portion connected at an angle which may be oriented variably on a T-post by virtue of unique aperture arrangements, and have other such plates and T-posts quickly connected thereto.

Abstract: A bracing system is disclosed which is particularly suitable for providing line and end corner bracing for "T-post" fence construction. The bracing system comprises slidable collars which are positioned over the posts and located vertically between the lugs at a desired location. A wedging arrangement is used to secure the collar between adjacent lugs on the posts, and the collar has provisions for accepting accessories to permit a rigid cross-brace, typically also another "T-post", to be inserted therebetween for providing rigid cross-bracing between adjacent "T-posts" of the fence. Accessories also are disclosed to adapt the posts for uses other than fences.

Abstract: A metal fence connector is provided for removably mounting braces to a metal T-shaped fence post thereby facilitating the use of metal fence posts where lateral strength is needed. Conventional T-shaped posts are formed with a series of longitudinally disposed knobs or projections which enable the connector of this invention to obtain interlocking attachment with the post by means of an apertured collar that selectively receives a projection as the connector is vertically positioned on the post. A wedge member is utilized to secure the connector to the post in the desired position.

Abstract: A fence installing apparatus (10) for use in combination with a plurality of strands (100) of fencewire (101); wherein, the apparatus (10) comprises: a brace unit (11) having a ground engaging unit (13) on one end, and a tubular unit (14) on the other end, wherein the tubular unit (14) is provided with a retaining unit (15) and a locking unit (16); and, a stabilizing unit (12) comprising an elongated stabilizing rod member (26) that is dimensioned to be slidably received within said tubular unit (14); so that the retaining unit (15) can capture one strand (100') of fencewire (101); the tubular unit (14) can capture another strand (100"); and, the stabilizing unit (12) can capture yet another strand (100'") of fencewire (101).

Abstract: A pair of spaced apart, upright and adjacent fence posts are provided having upper and lower end portions and their lower end portions embedded in the ground. An upper horizontal brace extends between and is anchored to the upper end portions of the posts at an elevation spaced appreciably above the ground and a pair of guides are anchored relative to the posts at generally ground level. A pair of elongated inclined braces have their lower ends slidingly engaged with the guides and their upper ends anchored to the longitudinal mid-portion of the horizontal brace. The guides and the lower ends of the inclined braces include co-acting structure releasably locking the lower ends of the inclined braces in adjusted shifted positions relative to the guides.

Abstract: A pair of brace anchors are carried by a pair of adjacent fence posts and include support members projecting outwardly from the brace anchors toward each other. A bracing fence rail is interposed between the post with the opposite ends of the rail and the support members telescopingly engaged with each other and two pairs of wire strands are anchored and extend between lower and upper end portions of the adjacent posts. An elongated lever is inserted between each pair of wire strands and angularly displaced about an axis extending along the corresponding pair of wire strands in order to twist the latter and thereby reduce the effective length thereof until the wire strands are tensioned, as desired.

Abstract: A fence support structure for distributing stress forces between fence posts in a fence line. The support structure includes a fence panel having at least one vertical member and at least one structural member attached to the vertical member for transferring the stress forces to other fence posts, the fence panel is disposed substantially in the fence line between a first and a second fence post. The vertical member is secured adjacent the first post by conventional securing means, and the outward end of the structural member is secured adjacent the second fence post. The fence panel may be of unitary construction or it may be comprised of separate, substantially linear components which may be assembled in the field and which may be interconnected by use of slip joints or nut and bolt assemblies. Optionally, some or all of the components may be slidably adjustable in length so as to permit adjustment of the length of the fence panel.

Abstract: A wire fence includes a plurality of wires tensioned at their opposite ends by ground-anchoring means each comprising a pair of vertical posts anchorable in the ground in spaced parallel relationship, and a diagonal post secured between the lower end of one vertical post and the upper end of the other, so that the diagonal post extends at an incline between the two vertical posts. The fence includes trip-wires secured to the diagonal post and freely movable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the vertical posts. The trip wires are connected to a detector which is actuated upon the disturbance of a trip wire.