A polycrystalline diamond (PCD) with diamond grains includes a first zone of the diamond grains and a second zone of the diamond grains. The first zone forms a working surface and a first catalyzing material is disposed within voids of the diamond grains in the first zone. A second catalyzing material is bonded to the diamond grains disposed in the second zone. The first catalyzing material in the first zone is connected to the diamond grains disposed in the first zone less intimately than the second catalyzing material is bonded to the diamond grains in the second zone.

An abrasive article includes a polymer matrix and abrasive grains dispersed in the polymer matrix, wherein the abrasive article has a void volume of at least 50%. The polymer matrix is polymerized from a monomer including at least one double bond.

Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) fabricated by sintering a mixture including diamond particles and a selected amount of graphite particles, polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) having a PCD table comprising such PCD, and methods of fabricating such PCD and PDCs. In an embodiment, a method includes providing a mixture including graphite particles present in an amount of about 0.1 weight percent (“wt %”) to about 20 wt % and diamond particles. The method further includes subjecting the mixture to a high-pressure/high-temperature process sufficient to form PCD.

An abrasive article includes a body having abrasive particles contained within a bond material. The abrasive particles can include a majority content of silicon nitride and a minority content of sintering material including at least two rare-earth oxide materials. In an embodiment, the rare-earth oxide materials can include Nd2O3 and Y2O3. In a particular embodiment, the abrasive particles comprise a content (wt %) of Nd2O3 that is greater than a content of Y2O3 (wt %).

An abrasive article includes a fibrous substrate, a binder disposed on the fibrous substrate, and abrasive grains in contact with the binder. The binder includes an imide cross-linked urethane derived from a blocked isocyanate component and an anhydride component.

An abrasive article including a bonded abrasive having a body formed of abrasive grains contained within a bond material, wherein the body grinds a superabrasive workpiece having an average Vickers hardness of at least about 5 GPa at an average specific grinding energy (SGE) of not greater than about 350 J/mm3, at a material removal rate of at least about 8 mm3/sec, and wherein grinding is a centerless grinding operation.

An abrasive element comprises a body of crystalline abrasive material. The body has an array of cutting elements formed of crystalline abrasive material which projects from a surface of the body. The shape, size and form of the projections is controlled in the production process. The body may be a natural or synthetic crystal. The body may be a film formed by deposition. The body may be diamond or cubic boron nitride. The body may be monocrystalline or polycrystalline. The projections may be aligned along a crystallographic plane or planes.

Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of fabricating a polycrystalline diamond compacts and applications for such polycrystalline diamond compacts. In an embodiment, a method of fabricating a polycrystalline diamond body includes mechanically milling non-diamond carbon and a sintering aid material for a time and aggressiveness sufficient to form a plurality of carbon-saturated sintering aid particles and sintering a plurality of diamond particles in the presence of the plurality of carbon-saturated sintering aid particles to form the polycrystalline diamond body.

Methods of making a superabrasive tool precursor are disclosed, along with such precursors and associated tools. Particularly, methods are disclosed for orienting superabrasive particles in a viscous binding material in order to provide tools based thereupon and having desired performance characteristics.

An abrasive article includes a shaped abrasive particle including a body having a first height (h1) at a first end of the body defining a corner between an upper surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, and a second height (h2) at a second end of the body opposite the first end defining an edge between the upper surface and a third side surface, wherein the average difference in height between the first height and the second height is at least about 50 microns. The body also includes a bottom surface defining a bottom area (Ab) and a cross-sectional midpoint area (Am) defining an area of a plane perpendicular to the bottom area and extending through a midpoint of the particle, the body has an area ratio of bottom area to midpoint area (Ab/Am) of not greater than about 6.

The inventive method comprises chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with an inventive polishing composition comprising a liquid carrier and abrasive particles that have been treated with a compound.

An abrasive article includes an elongated body, a bonding layer including a metal overlying a surface of the elongated body, and a coating layer including a polymer material overlying the boding layer. The abrasive article further includes abrasive grains contained within the bonding layer and coating layer, and wherein the bonding layer comprises an average thickness (tbl) at least about 40% of the average grit size of the abrasive grains.

A method of making shaped abrasive particles including forming an abrasive flake comprising a plurality of precursor shaped abrasive particles and a frangible support joining the precursor shaped abrasive particles together; transporting the abrasive flake through a rotary kiln to sinter the abrasive flake; and breaking the sintered abrasive flake into individual shaped abrasive particles. The method is useful to make small shaped abrasive particles having insufficient mass to be efficiently individually sintered in a rotary kiln without joining two or more of the shaped abrasive particles together.

A method and system for estimating uncertainties in radar based precipitation estimates is provided. In an embodiment, gauge measurements at one or more gauge locations are received by an agricultural intelligence computer system. The agricultural intelligence computer system obtains precipitation estimates for the one or more gauge locations that correspond to the gauge measurements and computes the differences between the precipitation estimates and the gauge measurements. Using the precipitation estimates and the computed differences, the agricultural intelligence computer system then models a dependence of the uncertainty in the precipitation estimates on the value of the precipitation estimates. When the agricultural intelligence computer system receives precipitation estimates for a location where gauge measurements are unavailable, the agricultural intelligence computer identifies an uncertainty for the precipitation estimate based on the value of the precipitation estimate and the model of the dependence of the uncertainty on the precipitation estimate values.

A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for improved switching speed and/or tunability for radio-frequency (RF) devices are described. In one embodiment, a liquid crystal (LC) component comprises an LC structure in a mixture with right-handed (R) and left-handed (S) chiral dopants.

A system is described, along with the related device and method, for transmission and/or reception of signals having electromagnetic modes with orbital angular momentum (OAM), wherein the device is adapted to receive, at its input, electromagnetic signals from at least one transmitter, and is configured to apply a discrete Fourier transform to the electromagnetic signals in order to generate the signals having electromagnetic modes with orbital angular momentum.

A system comprising: an interrogator device, comprising: a first transmit antenna configured to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals circularly polarized in a first rotational direction; and a first receive antenna configured to receive RF signals circularly polarized in a second rotational direction different from the first rotational direction; and a target device, comprising: a second receive antenna configured to receive RF signals circularly polarized in the first rotational direction and a second transmit antenna configured to transmit, to the interrogator device, RF signals circularly polarized in the second rotational direction.

A radar sensor for detecting at least one object, having a control device to receive a control input signal; a signal generator to generate a transmit signal having a multitude of signal cycles, each signal cycle having a multitude of signal sequences, and a series of blocks being formed, each block having precisely one frequency ramp of each signal sequence, and the signal generator furthermore being designed to select a predefined quantity of blocks from the transmit signal based on the control input signal and to output them as output signal; an antenna device to transmit the output signal that is output by the signal generator and to receive a receive signal; and an evaluation device which is designed to ascertain, by superpositioning the transmit signal and the receive signal, a quantity with regard to an angle and/or a distance and/or a relative speed of the at least one object.

Methods and apparatus for processing of GNSS signals are presented. These include GNSS processing with predicted precise clocks, GNSS processing with mixed-quality data, GNSS processing with time-sequence maintenance, GNSS processing with reduction of position jumps in low-latency solutions, GNSS processing with position blending to bridge reference station changes, and GNSS processing with delta-phase correction for incorrect starting position.

A portable terminal includes a GPS unit configured to receive a GPS signal, a GPS processing section configured to detect GPS accuracy at an interval and detect the position of a vehicle on the basis of the GPS signal received by the GPS unit, and an information processing section configured to detect entrance timing, which is timing when the GPS accuracy is detected when the vehicle is located at an entrance point of a multi-storey parking structure, on the basis of transition of the GPS accuracy detected by the GPS processing section at the interval.

Various methods, apparatus, devices and systems are provided for electrically short antennas for efficient broadband transmission. In one example, among others, a system includes a segmentally time-variant antenna and a segment controller that can control conductivity of individual segments of the segmentally time-variant antenna. The conductivity of the individual segments is modulated to allow a pulse to propagate from the proximal end to the distal end of the segmentally time-variant antenna and impede a reflection of the pulse from propagating back to the proximal end of the segmentally time-variant antenna. In another embodiment, a method includes injecting a pulse at a first end of a segmentally time-variant antenna and modulating conductivity of individual segments to allow the pulse to propagate to a second end of the segmentally time-variant antenna and impede a reflection of the pulse from propagating back to the first end.

A sensor includes a reception antenna, a parasitic antenna terminating in a variable load, a controller, a transmitter transmitting a transmission signal, a receiver, a memory, and a processor. The controller sets an impedance value of the variable load. The receiver receives a first signal formed of signals received by the antennas and derived from the transmission signal, and the signal received by the parasitic antenna corresponding to the impedance value. The memory stores a first signal strength value of the first signal corresponding to the impedance value. The processor sets candidates of a complex propagation channel, calculates second signal strength values of a second signal respectively corresponding to the candidates, estimates a target complex propagation channel by selecting a candidate corresponding to a minimum difference among differences between the first signal strength value and the second signal strength values, and estimates a direction of arrival of the first signal.

An apparatus consisting of hierarchically elaborated antenna modules is calibrated by steps. Although the AWV can be calculated mathematically based on the required phase shift values of each antenna element for a beam direction to compensate for signal delay. However, in practice, due to hardware implementation imperfection, coupling in signal path for each antenna element within hardware, inaccuracies of implementations, physical misalignment, the mathematically generated AWV does not necessarily provide alignment between transmit beam and receive beam. This subset is sufficient is all practical operation. The subset of AWVs are typically called codebook and the receiver beam points to different direction by using a AWV within the codebook.

A process writes phase shift error correction values into a phased-array antenna to normalize a range of manufacturing variances. An axial ratio is determined for an antenna weight vector (AWV) by making multiple measurements with the horn of a test antenna mechanically rotating from 0 to 180 degree or with dual polarization test antenna. For calibration of the whole array, each subarray is treated in the same fashion as equivalent to an antenna element in the subarray calibration. The subarray is electronically rotated as a whole (all elements rotated by the same phase shift value) from 0 to 360 degree during the full array calibration. Due to small power variation among AWVs, calibration solely by REV results fail to consistently converge to resolution. Accordingly, the apparatus measures and compares axial ratios. During final fabrication, the apparatus programs an AWV with best axial ratio into each non-transitory array element.

An irrigation device comprising a moisture responsive barrier is provided. At least a portion of the barrier has perforations, at least some of the perforations are associated with a water swellable material. The perforations are configured to open as the water swellable material loses moisture and dries out and are configured to close as said water swellable material is exposed to and absorbs water, such as during a watering step. According to another aspect the irrigation method includes the steps of positioning a perforated barrier between a source of irrigation water and an area to be irrigated, wherein the perforations are associated with a water swellable material; exposing the water swellable material to water to cause the water swellable material to swell to close the perforations; and permitting the water swellable material to dry, to open the perforations, whereby the opening and closing of the perforations regulates the amount of irrigation water being applied across the barrier in the irrigation method.

The present invention provide a light-scattering fluororesin film for agricultural applications which can be used as a covering material for an agricultural house or the like, is excellent in uniformity of color or the like of crops cultivated, can reduce the occurrence of leaf scorch, seedling blight or the like, and can cultivate the crops at high productivity. Specifically, the invention provides a light-scattering fluororesin film for agricultural applications that gives a ratio of scattered light with a scattering angle of 5.5 to 10° being 5% or higher relative to the total transmitted light.

A system for efficient transportation and display of plants or flowers has been designed that contains two or more trays and a container. The first tray and alternative tray house the plants or flowers. The second tray, in which the first tray and alternative tray nest, allows for easy movement of the first tray, the alternative tray and the supply of water or nutrients. The container is designed to serve two functions, shipping and displaying.

An automated method for analyzing seeds generally includes collecting image data from individual seeds using a seed sampling system, determining at least one characteristic of each of the individual seeds based on the collected image data, and removing tissue from each of the individual seeds using the seed sampling system. The method also includes, prior to removing the tissue sample from each of the individual seeds, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the seed sampling system based on the at least one characteristic of the seed from which the tissue is to be removed to thereby allow for generally consistent removal of tissue from each of the individual seeds. In some aspects, the method further includes analyzing the tissue removed from the seeds for presence or absence of at least one characteristic, and selecting seeds based on presence or absence of the at least one characteristic.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising a neonicotinoid-based compound having a high degree of insecticidal activity, a surfactant, and an organic solvent, which is capable of demonstrating stable effects and in which the types and amounts of surfactant and organic solvent are adjusted so as to prevent chemical damage in numerous types of trees. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for preventing damage to trees by harmful insects of numerous types of trees by injecting this composition into a tree trunk and allowing the chemical to circulate within the tree body.

A seed sampling system is provided having an automated seed loading assembly including a seed bin and being operable to singulate seeds from a plurality of seeds within the seed bin. The system also includes an automated seed sampling assembly operable to remove tissue samples from the singulated seeds, and an automated seed transport assembly operable to transfer the singulated seeds from the seed loading assembly to the seed sampling assembly. The seed transport assembly includes multiple retention members. Each of the retention members is movable relative to the seed loading assembly and to the seed sampling assembly. The seed transport assembly is operable to position one of the multiple retention members adjacent to the seed loading assembly for engaging one of the singulated seeds, while positioning another of the retention members adjacent to the seed sampling assembly for presenting another of the singulated seeds to the seed sampling assembly.

A central housing in a generally rectilinear configuration. The central housing has a horizontal open top, a horizontal open bottom and side walls. A horizontal lower divider panel is between the top and the bottom. Lateral openings in the housing are located in the lower section of the upstanding side walls adjacent to the bottom extent. A plurality of interchangeable upper components is chosen from the class including a cover having seat and table top on the top and bottom of the planar surfaces, an ice chest a large planter, an upper horizontal divider panel and an ice chest. The upper components are adapted to be selectively positioned on the open top and depend into the upper component. A plurality of lower components is chosen from the class including doors and casters. A lateral opening is formed in the housing adjacent to the bottom.

The invention provides a nontoxic photoluminescent adjuvant delivered to targeted crops, plants and seeds to assist spray operations in low light or dark light operations. These crops and plants include: not for human consumption crops, turf grass, ornamental flowers, seeds, shrubs and bushes. Spray operations are delivered to the foliar, crown and soil parts and seeds of a crop or plant.

A plant cultivation apparatus including: a guide rail disposed above a cultivation bed and extending along the length direction of the cultivation bed; a movable unit configured to move along the guide rail; an arm unit having a first end that is coupled to the movable unit, and a second end that is telescopically extendable from the movable unit toward the cultivation bed; and a UV radiation unit coupled to the second end of the arm unit and configured to irradiate the cultivation bed with a set amount of UV light.

The present invention relates to substituted cellulose acetates and methods of use thereof. One embodiment of the present invention provides a coating having a substituted cellulose acetate having a polar substituent that has an oxygen atom covalently bonded to a nonmetal selected from the group of sulfur, phosphorus, and boron; wherein the nonmetal is present in at least about 0.01% by weight of the substituted cellulose acetate.

An automated seed sampler system includes an imaging device for obtaining images of seeds, an orienting device for orienting the seeds based on the images, and a sampling station for removing tissue from the oriented seeds. In some aspects, the system also includes a transport subsystem for supporting the oriented seeds and conveying the oriented seeds to the sampling station. A method for removing tissue from seeds includes imaging the seeds, orienting the seeds based on image information obtained from the seeds, and removing tissue from the oriented seeds. In some aspects, the method also includes transporting the oriented seeds in a transport subsystem to a sampling station for removing the tissue from the oriented seeds, and/or collecting the tissue removed from the oriented seeds so that a one-to-one correspondence exists between the tissue and the sampled seeds, and/or analyzing the tissue for characteristics indicative of genetic and/or chemical traits.

A planter for holding a plant includes a container having an open upper end. The container has side walls extending downward from the upper end and tapering inward to a lower end. A base at the lower end of the container has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the upper end. A circumferential ring surrounds the lower end of the container. The circumferential ring has an upper edge that extends outward from the container by a distance such that removal of the container and ring from a mold as a single unit would be inhibited. Accordingly, the container and the circumferential ring are molded from a thermoplastic material as separate components. The circumferential ring fits around the lower end of the container and is held in place by a mechanical interlock between the container and the ring.

The invention provides a non-toxic photoluminescent adjuvant delivered to targeted crops, plants and seeds to assist spray operations in low light or dark light operations. These crops and plants include: not for human consumption crops, turf grass, ornamental flowers, seeds, shrubs and bushes. Spray operations are delivered to the foliar, crown and soil parts and seeds of a crop or plant.

A fluid dispensing device comprises a housing body, a fluid container, a reciprocating piston fluid pump, a primary drive element and a spray tip. The housing body is configured to be carried and supported by an operator of the hand held airless fluid dispensing device during operation. The fluid container is supported by the housing body. The reciprocating piston fluid pump is coupled to the housing body and comprises at least two pumping chambers configured to be actuated out of phase by at least one piston. The primary drive element is coupled to the housing body and connected to the reciprocating piston fluid pump to actuate the at least one piston. The spray tip is connected to an outlet of at least one of the pumping chambers.

A nozzle device for dispensing flowable substances, having a support and a nozzle element arranged at least in part within this support, which element is suitable and intended for dispensing the flowable substance, and having a first coupler, in order to arrange the nozzle device detachably to a supply for the flowable substance. According to the invention, the nozzle device has a second coupler in order to fasten the nozzle device detachably to a further nozzle device.

The present invention provides a combination showerhead with press button switching comprising fixing holder, two showerheads and switching mechanism. The first showerhead is mounted to fixing holder; fixing holder comprises an inlet passage and two diversion passages. The switching mechanism comprises diversion plate, transmission mechanism, sliding block and press button. Diversion plate is connected to fixing holder movably and cooperated with inlet and diversion passages to switching waterway by predetermined angle rotating. Sliding block is slidably connected to fixing holder; the transmission mechanism is connected between the diversion plate and the sliding block in transmission way so that back-and-forth sliding of sliding block drives diversion plate to rotate step-by-step in predetermined angle. Press button is movably connected to fixing holder and connected to sliding block in transmission way to drive sliding block to slide. The combination showerhead is novel and convenient for one-handed operation with reasonable layout and compact structure.

A valve body has a piston that slides within the body through four successive positions. The piston has a head, and an upper and lower skirt, with a port in the upper skirt. In the first position, a bias force urges the piston to the first of four positions, in which the piston port is closed. In a second position, the piston port aligns with a low pressure port in the valve body, when a low pressure supply of water is connected. In a third position, greater pressure again closes the piston port. In a fourth position, at a still greater pressure, the piston port aligns with a high pressure port in the valve body. The bias force or a location of the piston port can be varied for valves along a supply line, whereby varying supply pressure opens different valves, thereby enabling addressing of valves according to supply pressure.

Device for evaporating volatile substances including a container for a liquid that contains volatile substances and means for evaporating the volatile substances, where the means for evaporating the volatile substances include two semipermeable membranes, such that the device allows the optimisation of the evaporation of the volatile substances present in the liquid, doubling the evaporation surface thereof compared to conventional devices, and increases the user's perception of the amount of liquid evaporated.

A fluid control valve includes a body, a first diverter, a second diverter, and a first actuator. The body includes an inlet configured to receive a supply of fluid. The first diverter is movable in a radial direction within the body between a first radial position and a second radial position. The second diverter is movable in a longitudinal direction within the body between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. The first actuator is operatively coupled to the first diverter and to the second diverter. The first actuator is configured to simultaneously move the first diverter between the first and second radial positions and the second diverter between the first and second longitudinal positions.

A two part adhesive spray system is provided herein. This system provides numerous enhancements to the prior art including limiting overspray “fog,” saving on sprayed material because of a more efficient spray pattern, and providing a more efficient bond than that of the prior art. In particular, the present invention provides a spray pattern having both adhesive and activator. The activator is sprayed in a smaller spray area than the adhesive, which is sprayed on a larger area. As such, when sprayed on a substrate, the activator provides a rapid tack to hold a second adhered material to the substrate sufficient to hold it in place while the remainder of the adhesive dries and/or cures.

The current invention provides for a fog generator. More specifically, it provides for a housing comprising a fog generating liquid and a valve that, in a closed position, prevents the fog generating liquid from flowing out of the housing, in which the said valve is kept in a closed position by means of a fuse wire (6).

According to embodiments of the present invention, a flameless candle includes a housing, a reservoir, and a lamp. The reservoir can retain a fragrant source (e.g., solid, liquid, or mix thereof. The housing has a hollow region and a recessed area within the top surface of the housing. The recessed area is bounded by a bottom surface and a sidewall. There one or more vent holes in the sidewall. If there is a plurality of vent holes, then they may encircle the sidewall. The vent hole(s) allow an airflow from the hollow region and into the recessed area above the fragrant source. The lamp can emit a light through the bottom surface of the recessed area and through fragrant source.

The present invention provides spray devices for plumbing fixture fittings and unitarily formed components thereof having complex flow paths, made of multiple materials, and/or that are movable.

The present invention provides a contacting type infiltration groove for photoresist coating equipment, comprises a loading main body and a sprinkler head. A spray nozzle is provided at the end of the sprinkler head, wherein, a limiting component is additional clamped at the end of the sprinkler head to make only the spray nozzle of the sprinkler head dip into the solvent in the loading main body. The sprinkler head can be hold up by the limiting component to separate the non-spray nozzle from the solvent so as to avoid the solvent contacting on the surface of the non-spray nozzle part. The contacting surface of the sprinkler head is setting on the top of the spray nozzle to make them adhere seamlessly together.

In a piezoelectric ejector assembly, a piezoelectric actuator is attached to an ejector mechanism, while a drive signal generator and a controller are coupled to the actuator. The drive signal generator is configured to generate a drive signal for driving the actuator to oscillate the ejector assembly. The controller is configured to control the drive signal generator to drive the actuator at a resonant frequency of the ejector assembly, and an auto-tuning circuit is provided to define the optimum drive signal frequency.