Abstract: A plant protection apparatus that is configured to be placed adjacent a plant and provide control of the amount of sunlight and water to which the plant is exposed. The plant protection apparatus includes a body having a central portion, a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and second portion are movably mounted to opposing sides of the central portion. The first portion and second portion are planar in manner and are movably intermediate a first position and second position. The plant protection apparatus is further configured to have a controller and a first sensor and a second sensor wherein the first sensor and second sensor are operably coupled to the controller. The body is secured to a mounting rod that is configured to be inserted into soil adjacent to plant. The mounting rod is of sufficient length so as to position the body above the plant.

Abstract: A light-deprivation system includes shades having a fixed end that form a perimeter that defines a growing environment, cables attached to a free end of each shade, a cable guide located near a pinnacle of the light-deprivation system, and a winch to draw the shades. The cables run from the free end of each shade, through the cable guide, to the winch. Operation of the winch draws the shades simultaneously to block substantially all light from sources external to the growing environment from reaching the growing environment.

Abstract: System for covering flat surfaces that is installed on support structures formed by support poles (2) maintained in position by a network of tie-rods (3), both the support poles and the tie-rods being fixed on the surface by means of suitable pins. Said system comprises a plurality of pairs of elongated support elements (6, 6?) having a lower portion positioned on such poles (2) and being joined together in raised position in proximity to their upper end, to form a plurality of pairs of slopes on which protection nets or protection sheets (7) are positioned, which in open position cover the area below the support structure and which in closed position are compact and amassed between adjacent poles (2) of the same row; the movement from the open position to the closed one and vice versa being obtained through the sliding of the sheet along the support elements by means of movement means.

Abstract: A system for limiting access by flying animals to fans of an air-cooled condenser comprises a plurality of perimeter netting segments and interior netting segments. The fans are mounted on a framework and arranged in a matrix. Each fan comprises either (i) a perimeter fan positioned along any one of three or four outer edges of the matrix or (ii) an interior fan. Each perimeter netting segment is adapted to be positioned at least partly below a corresponding one of the perimeter fans. Each interior netting segment is adapted to be positioned at least partly below a corresponding one of the interior fans. Each perimeter netting segment has a first edge adapted to be affixed to the framework and a second edge affixed to a corresponding interior netting segment. At least a portion of each perimeter netting segment is angled inward and downward toward its corresponding interior netting segment.

Abstract: Crop protection netting for covering trees or other plants for insect and bird exclusion is of a knitted mesh construction, comprising knit intersections in the netting and connecting yarn portions between the yarn intersections which extend substantially linearly between intersections. The netting is lightweight and stretchable in multiple directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided that combine solar technology and agriculture in a symbiotic relationship that optimizes revenue from both sources. An array of reconfigurable solar collector assemblies is deployed in a crop field. As various crops benefit from varying degrees of shade through their development cycles, and are prone to damage from high winds and hail, the array of adaptable, reconfigurable solar collectors is deployed in the crop field and allows for the easy reconfiguration of each solar collector assembly to vary the amount of shade that is applied to the crops below the assembly, and to provide maximum hail and wind protection when necessary.

Abstract: Autonomous mobile field robots may be used to maintain fields. An autonomous mobile field robot may perform soil mechanics with environment sensors at a sub-region and store the soil mechanics. The robot may further determine soil temperature of the sub-region and store the soil temperature. The soil mechanics and the soil temperature are sent to a monitoring server via a radio access network for storage and analysis. The parameters for the soil of the sub-region may be adjusted based on the soil mechanics of the sub-region with the chemicals from chemical storage units. The robot may return to a home station to refill one or more of the water or chemicals.

Abstract: Protection system for the mechanized covering of plant crops which are usually planted in rows, of the type in which vertical poles (1) are arranged along the rows and have heights greater than those of the crowns of the plants to be protected, the poles being interconnected by longitudinal (3) and transverse (2) cables to form an overhead supporting lattice roof structure, the system comprising means for mechanizing the steps of extending flexible protective sheets (4) over the roof structure and removing them therefrom, characterized in that: the poles (1) are in a staggered or grid arrangement such that they are transversely aligned in even-numbered rows (F2, F4, etc.) only and in odd-numbered rows (F1, F3, etc.

Abstract: A method can include providing an underground vault; providing a lift mechanism; providing a crop protection system that includes a housing that houses a vertically oriented roll of material; and positioning the crop protection system in the underground vault where the lift mechanism provides for vertically adjusting the crop protection system with respect to the underground vault to raise the vertically oriented roll of material above ground. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: The roof reflector provides selectively deployable and retractable devices for installation over the roof of a building structure to reduce the amount of solar energy transmitted to the roof proper. The roof reflector may include a thick roll of insulating material that may be unrolled to cover the roof or rolled up for storage. Alternatively, the roof reflector may have a plurality of rigid panels hinged together to extend over the roof or to fold over one another for storage. Yet another alternative is a plurality of rigid panels that telescope into one another for storage. Still another alternative includes a plurality of laterally disposed slats that may be opened and closed in the manner of Venetian blinds. The roof reflector is remotely operated, either mechanically by a hand crank and cable mechanism, or electronically by a remote signal operating an electric motor.

Abstract: A crop protection system can include a housing that houses at least one roller mechanism to carry a roll of material, a vault configured to receive the housing, and a lift mechanism configured to vertically position the housing with respect to the vault. In such a system the housing may include three roller mechanisms where each roller mechanism is configured to carry a roll of material and also include a wire roller mechanism configured to carry a roll of wire. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A crop protection system can include a housing that houses at least one roller mechanism to carry a roll of material, a vault configured to receive the housing, and a lift mechanism configured to vertically position the housing with respect to the vault. In such a system the housing may include three roller mechanisms where each roller mechanism is configured to carry a roll of material and also include a wire roller mechanism configured to carry a roll of wire. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A shaft in a cylindrical configuration has upper and lower ends and a cylindrical passageway. A housing forms a chamber with an open top and an open bottom. The chamber is in operative communication with the passageway. A sheet has a center, a periphery and a central extent. The sheet has a deployed orientation. The deployed orientation is in a generally hemispherical configuration. The center of the sheet is supported by the housing. The periphery of the sheet is provided adjacent to ground around the shaft. In this manner the plant is covered. The sheet has a stored orientation. The center of the sheet in the passageway is provided adjacent to the lower end. The central extent of the sheet is provided there above.

Abstract: A garden enclosure apparatus and means for assembling the same is set forth, including a circular base frame, a dome topped superstructure having a removable hatch, the superstructure resting upon the circular base frame, and in the preferred embodiment, the removable hatch is hinged to the base frame, and benefits from a spring lift assist means to open and close the removable hatch providing access to the protected area within.

Abstract: A method and device for supporting a sheet of material is provided optionally for plant support and/or protection. A fencing device includes a rigid post and two or more flexible arms. A shading material, or a protective barrier material, such as a wire mesh, a plastic netting or a deer netting material, or a solar energy collection panel may be attached to distal ends of the flexible arms and may extend for seven feet or more from a ground plane to a top height of flexible arms above the ground plane. Flags may extend vertically above the barrier material to further discourage intrusion by animals. Horizontal lines may be extended from a plurality of fencing posts to even further discourage intrusion by animals and/or to support the barrier material. A trellising device may be coupled with and above another trellising device to provide layers of shading and plant support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a weather protection system for crops, comprising a series of posts (1) forming rows in correspondence with the rows of the corresponding plantation, establishing at the upper part of each post (1) a roll (8) formed by a sheet rolled on a torsional tube (7) with which tensioning cables (5) are integral, such that the sheet of the roll (8) can be folded at its middle (8?) and form two branches or flaps (9 and 10) which are simultaneously rolled and unrolled, such that branches which can be separated are established in the unrolling in order to determine a covering of the corresponding crop or plantation (12), those covering or protection branches (9 and 10) being spread out by means of spreading out the arms (11) of a compass articulated to the actual post (1).

Abstract: A weed inhibitor and weed barrier securing base having an aperture for earth working, and reusable aperture cover which may be removably affixed to the base. Anchors, removably affixed to the base, secure the base to both underlying soil and weed barrier. Further weed barrier securement is provided by additional short posts which protrude through the weed barrier from the base. When in place, the removable aperture cover inhibits plant growth in the area where the weed inhibitor is disposed as a useful weed inhibitor in areas not designated for plant growth. Removal of the aperture cover permits earth working and plant growth within the aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus to promote plant growth in vast desert areas is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a blocking plate pivotally jointed to at least two support posts. The blocking plate is operated by an electrical motor to turn wheels secured to a rotary rod to extend or pull back cables connecting the blocking plate and the wheels in order to swing the blocking plate between an approximately horizontal position and one or two approximately vertical positions in order to protect the plants underneath and promote plant growth. The apparatus can include a solar cell layer in the blocking plate, or attach a wind turbine at the top of one of the support posts to generate electrical energy from the extreme desert sunlight and windstorm. Further, rain gutters can be formed onto the blocking plate to collect and distribute rainwater.

Abstract: A method of desert environmental control using the apparatus as disclosed herein that can be installed in huge expanse of desert area, evenly spaced in a square matrix type formation, forming a protective layer against sunlight, and turning the sun's natural energy into electrical power by the solar panel or photo-voltaic cells that can be placed upon the shade panel as disclosed herein, creating a friendly environment that promotes plants growth and thus turning arid desert land into human friendly land at a cost lower than other current systems.

Abstract: A greenhouse on a support structure on posts with a hanging foil roof that can be opened, wherein the foil covering that forms the roof remains completely below the support structure formed by lattice girders in every position by being suspended form the rails on the underside of, and longitudinally to, the lattice girders is movable between the open and the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1) for arranging or removing a screen (2) some distance above a ground, particularly provided with crops (3), comprising: -one or more supports (4) extending at least partly at the distance above the ground, wherein the supports (4) are provided with guide means; -a screen with edge suitable for being guided in or along the guide means (7) of the supports (4); and pulling means (12) which arranged on at least one side of the guide means (7) and which can be mounted releasable on the edge of the screen (2), in order to pull the screen (2) along the supports (4) into a position substantially screening the ground or into a position leaving the ground clear.