A method for producing urea granules having low moisture absorption capacity, with a urea granulator, having a granule flow inlet side and oppositely a granule flow outlet side, forming an axis alongside which granules from a urea solution and a urea/ammonium salt-stream are formed, whereby the solution and the salt-stream are sprayed as a mixture or separately via a feed system unit via various nozzles into the granulator onto a seed material. In this process the highest amount of the salt-stream is sprayed into the granulator at the granule flow inlet side and the amount of the salt-stream is decreased alongside the axis of the granulator from the granule flow inlet side to the granule flow outlet side.

The invention employs composites of zeolite and ferric oxide hydroxide for removal of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus wastes from animal environments.

A method for preparing a boron fertilizer, including: (1) heating boric acid to a temperature of 180-200° C., maintaining the temperature for 20-30 min for dehydration of the boric acid to yield pyroboric acid; and (2) cooling down the pyroboric acid to a temperature of 40-60° C., crushing, and screening to yield a powdered, weakly acidic, high-content boron fertilizer. The method is energy-saving, environmentally friendly, and low in cost. The resulting boron fertilizer is weakly acidic, fast in dissolution rate, and has excellent in compounding performance

A locking system is mounted to a door with three rods extending therefrom. The rods have a locked position extending beyond the periphery of the door and an unlocked position not extending beyond the periphery of the door. Three rod receivers are adapted to receive the three rods in the locked position. A handle rotatably engages cam plates which are operatively engaged with the rods whereby rotation of the handle rotates the cam which moves the rod ends from one position to the other. A locking tab extends forwardly from the lower cam plate into a recess and is engaged by a circular lock while the recess prevents movement of the engaged circular lock. A second locking tab extends forwardly from the rod-locking link and a stationary locking tab is aligned thereto. Both locking tabs are engaged by a padlock preventing movement of the rod-locking link.

The invention relates to a potassium sulphate powder wherein about 80 wt % or more of the powder has a particle size of about 0.2 mm or lower, preferably about 0.13 mm or less. The particle size preferably is such, that about 80 wt % or more is about 0.02 mm or higher, more preferably about 0.04 mm or higher. This potassium sulphate powder dissolves easily in water, more in particular, 50 gram of said potassium sulphate powder dissolves in 1 liter of water without stirring within 1 minute, preferably within 30 sec. This potassium sulphate powder is very suitable as foliar fertilizer, in particular for broad acre crops. Further, the invention relates to the use of foliar potassium fertilizer, to enhance the uptake of potassium from the soil.

A system for the production of ammonium sulfate granules including a pipe cross reactor (PCR) configured to contact concentrated sulfuric acid with anhydrous ammonia to produce a PCR product comprising ammonium sulfate; and a granulator fluidly connected to the PCR, whereby PCR product extracted from the PCR can be introduced into the granulator, an inlet for ammonium sulfate seed material, an ammonia sparger configured to spray liquid anhydrous ammonia directly onto a bed of ammonium sulfate granules within the granulator, a granulator vent configured for extraction of a vapor comprising unreacted ammonia from the granulator, and a granulator product outlet configured for extraction of granulator product comprising ammonium sulfate granules from the granulator. A method of producing ammonium sulfate granules is also provided.

An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous charging of crop-quality-enhancer-feedstock comprised of one or more crop-quality enhancers (fertilizers, soil amendments and the like) to an irrigation system upstream of the agricultural field being irrigated. The crop-quality-enhancer-feedstock is diluted upon so charging to a level within the system solubility limits and the stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution exotherm. A system wherein crop-quality enhancers are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm mixing chamber efficiently implements the method.

Fertilizer granules and methods of producing fertilizer granules. The fertilizer granules are formed from a fertilizer composition, such as a phosphate fertilizer, includes a fibrous material for the purpose of increasing the granule strength preventing or reducing attrition or dusting formation during storage, transport, and/or handling of the fertilizer. Dust formation can be reduced fifty percent or more. The base fertilizer composition can include a phosphate fertilizer, such as monoammonium phosphate (MAP) or diammonium phosphate (DAP), and optionally one or more micronutrients or secondary nutrients, such as elemental sulfur. The fibrous material is pulp or paper sludge, for example.

An esteramide compound of the following formula (I): R1OOC-A-CONR2R3 (I) is described, wherein: A is a covalent bond or a methylene group —CH2—;R1 is an optionally substituted, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon group including from 5 to 36 carbon atoms,R2 and R3, either identical or different, are groups selected from a hydrogen atom, and optionally substituted hydrocarbon groups, preferably including from 1 to 36 carbon atoms, andR2 and R3 not being simultaneously hydrogen atoms. Also described, are applications for using the esteramide compound, notably as a solvent.

The present media is to be used with a particulate base having particles of a first maximum diameter for growing plants. The media includes granules which are of biodegradable recycled material and have a diameter relative to the first maximum diameter to penetrate further into the particulate base with each watering. The granules include plant nutrients and are of a material which coagulates after watering and adheres to the particulates of the base. The diameter of the granules may be in the range of 1/16 to ⅛ of an inch.

The invention relates to a fertilizing compound for application to plants and crops, especially fruits, intended for increasing the amount of calcium and subsequently improving the state of health of the plants and the preservation thereof after harvesting. The compound consists of a combination of components such as calcium nitrate, calcium lignosulfonate, organic acids, menadione sodium bisulphite, amino acids and water. The compound is in the form of a liquid preparation, packed in containers of between 20 and 1000 liters, is water-soluble and is applied by fertigation, spraying or in a localized form by border irrigation.

An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous charging of crop-quality-enhancer-feedstock comprised of one or more crop-quality enhancers (fertilizers, soil amendments and the like) to an irrigation system upstream of the agricultural field being irrigated. The crop-quality-enhancer-feedstock is diluted upon so charging to a level within the system solubility limits and the stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution exotherm. A system wherein crop-quality enhancers are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm mixing chamber efficiently implements the method.

An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous charging of crop-quality-enhancer-feedstock comprised of one or more crop-quality enhancers (fertilizers, soil amendments and the like) to an irrigation system upstream of the agricultural field being irrigated. The crop-quality-enhancer-feedstock is diluted upon so charging to a level within the system solubility limits and the stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution exotherm. A system wherein crop-quality enhancers are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm mixing chamber efficiently implements the method.

The invention relates to an aqueous solution of a mixture for treating urea-based fertilizers/fertilizers containing ammonium that contains 1,2,4-triazole and 3-methylpyrazole in the weight ratio 2/1 and at least one polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone and a tenside.

Methods of inducing bud break of deciduous fruit vines, trees, or shrubs following dormancy by the application of bud breaker compositions that do not contain hydrogen cyanamide.

An electromagnetic radiation activated device comprises a property changing material and at least one functionalized fullerene that upon irradiation of the functionalized fullerenes with electromagnetic radiation of one or more frequencies a thermally activated chemical or physical transformation occurs in the property changing material. The thermal activated transformation of the property changing material is triggered by the heating or combustion of the functionalized fullerenes upon their irradiation. The device can include a chemical agent that is embedded in the property changing material and is released when the material is heated by the functionalized fullerenes upon irradiation.

The present invention relates to a method and arrangement for the treatment of liquid material based on organic waste products, in particular sludge from sewage disposal plants and the like, wherein the sludge material is added and mixed with chemicals, in particular sulphuric acid, nitric acid, and/or ammonia, during the vaporization and degasification of liquid from the material to increase the solids content thereof. The present invention is characterized, inter alia, in that the material is continuously introduced at the upper part of a vertical mixing vessel (1), in which the material is subject to mixing, after which the material is passed on into a reactor tank (8) for sulphuric acid treatment and at the same time, while sinking through the sulphuric acid treatment reactor tank (8), is exposed to an impact action from a number of rotary processing means (9) disposed in the reactor tank (8), after which the material is passed on into a reactor tank (14) for ammonia treatment and at the same time, while sinking through the ammonia treatment reactor tank (14), is exposed to an impact action from a number of rotary processing means (9) disposed in the reactor tank (14), after which the material is finally passed on into a drier (15) in which the material is dried until a desired solids content is achieved.

A granular agrochemical composition is disclosed including a granular core material having a water soluble portion with a first coating layer applied on the surface of the core material and a second coating layer applied on the surface of the first coating layer. The first coating layer includes a wax composition having a biologically active ingredient incorporated therein and the second coating layer includes a polymeric composition. The granular agrochemical composition exhibits a controlled rate of release of the biologically active ingredient therefrom over a period greater than about 30 days from the date of initial exposure of the granular composition to moisture whereby essentially all of the biologically active ingredient incorporated in the wax material of the first coating layer is released from the granular composition before the water soluble portion of the granular core material is released from the granular composition.

The present invention is related to the field of environmental protection, more specifically, to a foliage silicon fertilizer and a method for production of the fertilizer, which is a molybdenum-silica compound sol used for reducing heavy metal and nitrates in vegetables. The fertilizer, which is a molybdenum-silica compound sol, comprises 10-25 wt % silica, 0.05-5.5 wt % molybdenum ions. More preferably, the fertilize, which is a rare earth-molybdenum-silica compound sol, comprises 10-25 wt % silica, 0.05-5.5 wt % molybdenum ions and 0.1-7.5 wt % rare earth ions. By the combination of silica with molybdenum in the present invention, it is effective for preventing the absorption/accumulation of nitrates in vegetables. In addition, by the further combination with rare earth element, the prevention ability of the fertilizer from absorbing heavy metal and nitrates into vegetables is even enhanced. With a preparation method with normal pressure and relatively, low temperature, that is, with mild condition, simple process and high operability, large scale production of the present invention may be readily executed.

Methods are provided for processing municipal human waste such that the processed material is is greater than 99% free of pathogenic organisms. The processed material can be used as an organic fertilizer or a “Class A” organic fertilizer. The methods include reducing the moisture content of human sludge free of polymeric flocculant to less than about 30% moisture and processing the sludge through an extruder under conditions having a minimum temperature of about 140° C., a residence time of about 30 seconds, and an atmospheric pressure differential of about 40 atmospheres. The methods are economical and have numerous advantages including reduced use of fossil fuel, fast processing time, and production of an odor free organic fertilizer free of many land use restrictions.

An engineered topsoil for use in soil reclamation and a method of producing the same are disclosed that seek to replicate undisturbed native reference topsoil from near the site in need of land reclamation. The engineered topsoil is formed from a base amount of subsoil and amendment comprised of an effective amount of surrogate humin material sufficient to replicate the estimated humin organic carbon content of the native reference topsoil, and an effective amount of plant residue material sufficient to replicate the estimated non-humin organic carbon content of the native reference topsoil.

A method and system for treatment of biological wastes for preparation of fertilizers is provided. The method and system involves mixing a biological waste with a dilute sulfuric acid in a predetermined ratio. The mixture of the biological waste and the dilute sulfuric acid is then filtered to obtain an organic slurry and an acidic liquid. Thereafter, the organic slurry is thermally cracked at an elevated temperature to obtain at least one of an ammonia gas, one or more flue gases, and char and ash. The method and system further involves utilizing the ammonia gas, the char and ash, and the acidic liquid for preparation of the fertilizers.

A device is provided, which makes it possible to perform a failure diagnostics for a filter more accurately even in the case of an internal combustion engine which is constructed to be capable of using both of gaseous fuel and liquid fuel. The device of the invention comprises judging means which judges any failure of the filter by comparing the added-up amount of the particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas as detected by a PM amount detecting sensor during a predetermined period and the added-up amount of the particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas as estimated by PM amount estimating means during the predetermined period, wherein the PM amount estimating means estimates the added-up amount of the particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas on the basis of the predetermined parameter and only a fuel injection amount of the liquid fuel out of a fuel injection amount of the gaseous fuel and the fuel injection amount of the liquid fuel.

A combustion speed, for example, is estimated or evaluated, with a required accuracy, more simply than the conventional art, while reducing man-hours to produce a heat generation rate waveform of an internal combustion engine. An increase rate of a heat generation rate relative to a change in a crank angle in a heat generation rate increasing period (e.g., a first-half combustion period a) in which the heat generation rate increases after ignition of an air-fuel mixture is defined as a heat generation rate gradient b/a that is one of characteristic values of the heat generation rate waveform. The heat generation rate gradient is estimated based on a fuel density (e.g., fuel density ρfuel@dQpeak at heat generation rate maximum time) at a predetermined time set in advance in the heat generation rate increasing period so as to produce the heat generation rate waveform using the estimated heat generation rate gradient.

A method for detecting and controlling a load weight of a vehicle by means of a tire pressure of the vehicle and a device are provided. The method includes the steps of installation setting, detecting the load weight, and controlling an electric switch. The device includes tire pressure detectors installed on rear wheels of the vehicle and connected with a processor which is input with a preset tire pressure value and able to receive the tire pressure detected by the tire pressure detectors. The processor is connected with an electric switch of the vehicle. The processor compares the tire pressure detected by the tire pressure detectors with the preset tire pressure value, and controls the electric switch to turn on/off a power source of the vehicle. The device is capable of detecting and controlling the load weight of the vehicle by detecting a change of the tire pressure.

While a vehicle is traveling in a state where any one of gear positions of a mechanical stepped transmission unit is established, until an estimated input torque that is obtained from the equation of motion for an electrical differential unit changes, a hydraulic pressure of a non-engaged intended hydraulic friction engagement device is increased, and a pack end pressure is learned on the basis of the hydraulic pressure at that time. Therefore, irrespective of feedback control, or the like, over motor generators of the electrical differential unit, it is possible to appropriately learn the pack end pressure, so it is possible to appropriately execute hydraulic control over the hydraulic friction engagement devices, that is, engaging and releasing control, or the like, at the time of shifting, irrespective of individual differences of the portions, aging of friction materials, or the like.

A position information correcting device includes a reception processing unit receiving position information transmitted from a nearby mobile object, a position correcting unit performing a position correcting process for correcting, based on map data, the position information of the nearby mobile object such that a corrected position of the nearby mobile object is on a running area of a road, a nearby mobile object type acquiring unit acquiring a mobile object type of the nearby mobile object, and a correction performance determining unit determining, based on the mobile object type acquired by the nearby mobile object type acquiring unit, whether the position correcting process needs to be performed to the position information of the nearby mobile object. The position correcting process is performed to the position information of the nearby mobile object only when the correction performance determining unit determines that the position correcting process needs to be performed.

A method and an electronic device for personalized navigation. The electronic device for personalized navigation acquire history data of a user, the history data comprising location information associated with active time of the user; plan a routine active path of the user according to the acquired history data; acquire navigation paths of the user; and classify the navigation paths into the routine active path and a non-routine active path according to the planned routine active path of the user, and provide navigation information to the user according to the classification result.

A destination information provider server is disclosed. The destination information provider server is configured to obtain position information of an information providing target vehicle, recognize a target link, which corresponds to a link of a road on which the information providing target vehicle is traveling, based on the position information, and transmit destination information to the information providing target vehicle, the destination information being indicative of destinations of other vehicles which travel on the target link.

A trip gauge for a vehicle information display may convey vehicle trip information and vehicle range information graphically to assist drivers in qualitatively visualizing and determining whether they can successfully make it to their destination before an on-board energy source is depleted. The trip gauge may include indicators corresponding to the relative locations of the vehicle, the destination, and a projected zero charge location associated with the vehicle's range or distance to empty value. Moreover, the positions of the indicators relative to one another may indicate whether the excess energy is available for the vehicle to reach the destination or whether the energy available is insufficient. Accordingly, drivers may be either reassured that they are expected to reach their destination successfully or warned if they are not so the drivers can modify their driving behavior or change their destination.

The invention relates to a method for guiding an aircraft along a reference path, said method comprising: a) when the altitude of the aircraft is greater than a threshold, estimating (E1) a relative location of the aircraft in relation to a taxiing starting point using a map of the platform and reference points on the ground, b) when the altitude of the aircraft is less than said threshold and before the aircraft is located at the taxiing starting point, estimating (E2) a relative location of the aircraft in relation to the taxiing starting point using data relating to the absolute location of the aircraft and the last relative location estimated at step a), c) when the aircraft is located at the taxiing starting point, guiding (E3) the aircraft on the basis of a location of the aircraft relative to the reference path as estimated using data relating to a set of indicators on the ground.

A method for controlling an aerial system with a rotor enclosed by a housing, including: operating the rotor in a flight mode, detecting a grab event indicative of the aerial system being grabbed, and automatically operating the rotor in a standby mode. A method for controlling an aerial system including a central axis extending normal to a lateral plane of the aerial system, including: generating a first aerodynamic force with a set of rotors enclosed by a housing, detecting that an acute angle between the central axis and a gravity vector is greater than a threshold angle, and operating each rotor of the set of rotors to cooperatively generate a second aerodynamic force less than the first aerodynamic force with the set of rotors.

Described herein are methods and systems for generating shared collaborative maps for planting or harvesting operations. A method of generating a collaborative shared map between machines includes generating a first map for a first machine based on a first set of data and generating a second map for a second machine based on a second set of data. The method further includes generating at least one shared collaborative map for at least one of the first and second machines based on the first and second maps.

A method for quantifying classification confidence of obstructions applied to a perception mergence system of a vehicular computer in a vehicle. The method includes steps of: the vehicular computer receiving obstruction information of at least obstruction, image information corresponding to the obstruction information and vehicle body signals, and using a classifier to classify them; calculating a detection result of each range sensor to calculate a existence confidence; using the existence confidences and precision of the classifier to calculate a classification belief assignment of each range sensor corresponding to each obstruction; performing mergence calculation on the classification belief assignments to respectively quantify an obstruction classification confidence of all the range sensor corresponding to each obstruction; and performing a classification ineffectiveness filtering mechanism to exclude the obstruction whose obstruction classification confidence less than a predetermined value. The present invention quantifies the obstruction classification confidence to improve the classification precision.

In one embodiment information regarding device activity of first subscriber to a transportation service is received. A backend server determines independent of a pending transportation request from the first passenger and based at least on the information regarding the device activity of the first subscriber, to send a driver towards a location based on the location of the first subscriber.

A method of health management of a monitored system includes collecting component condition indicator data used to calculate a plurality of component health indicators. Component fault severity and potential failure modes are determined utilizing the component condition indicator data. The potential failure modes are ranked in order of likelihood to isolate the failure mode. A system of health management for monitored apparatus includes a fault severity module to derive a plurality of component health indicators from collected component condition indicator data, the plurality of component health indicators indicative of fault severity of a plurality of components. A fault isolation module separately derives a ranked listing of potential fault/failure modes utilizing the component condition indicator data. The system further includes a communication portion to which the plurality of component health indicators and the ranked listing of fault/failure modes are transmitted for review and/or action by cognizant personnel.

A system for determining hang time for a machine operating at a worksite is provided. The system includes a sensing module associated with the machine. The sensing module is configured to track at least one parameter associated with the machine. The at least one parameter includes a machine heading, a machine speed, or a machine location. The system also includes a control module communicably coupled to the sensing module. The control module is configured to receive tracked information corresponding to the at least one parameter from the sensing module. The control module is also configured to analyze the tracked information corresponding to the at least one parameter, based on the received tracked information. The control module is further configured to determine the hang time for the machine, based on the analysis.

A method is provided for traffic lane and traffic signal control identification and traffic flow management. Methods may identify traffic lights controlling lane movements, cataloging the information through analysis of traffic light signal phase and timing, and analyzing traffic movement through an intersection during specific periods of time. In particular, example methods may include identifying each of a plurality of paths through an intersection; identifying states of one or more traffic lights controlling traffic through the intersection; determining vehicle throughput data for the intersection through a predetermined number of cycles of the one or more traffic lights; and matching the vehicle throughput data to each of the plurality of paths of the intersection. The method may optionally include identifying times of movement and times of non-movement of vehicles across the intersection for each of the plurality of paths.

A method for finding an evasive trajectory for avoiding an obstacle for a vehicle on a roadway. A component of a candidate trajectory parallel to the roadway is determined by selecting weighting coefficients of a first weighted sum of orthogonal functions of time. A component of the candidate trajectory orthogonal to the roadway is determined by selecting weighting coefficients of a second weighted sum of the orthogonal functions. An optimization parameter for the candidate trajectory is calculated. At least one coefficient of at least one of the sums is modified and the procedure is repeated when the optimization parameter does not reach a termination criterion.

The present application provides a system and method for enabling a driver to locate a passenger. In one or more implementations, a graphical user interface is provided that is operable to send and receive information associated with passengers and vehicles. A location of a first vehicle, a location of a first passenger and a location of a second passenger are received. Information associated with the locations of the first and second passenger is transmitted and a representation of at least one of the first passenger and the second passenger and the respective location thereof is provided.

A method for managing avionic data between a flight management system FMS and one or more clients, the FMS comprising resources accessible through avionic services Ci (1,n); the execution of the Ci (1,n) determining an avionic functionality Fj (1,m); each of the Fj (1,m) associated with an intrusiveness parameter Ik and a criticality parameter Ck; the method comprises the steps of receiving a request specifying the call to an Fj (1,m); and determining a predefined execution right for a Ci (1,n), dependent on the predefined intrusiveness and/or criticality parameters associated with the Fj (1,m). Developments describe particularly the comparison of the execution rights, notice of a rejection, various avionic services and functionalities, the management of criticality ranges, consideration of the flight context, etc. Software and system aspects are described (e.g. equipment of EFB type).

Luggage or carrying container (1) having an interface (10) for cooperating with one or more electronic and/or wireless devices (20, 22, 24, 26, 28), a rechargeable power source (30), an integrated antenna (40), and a wireless communication system (50). The luggage (1) allows a user to better manage various electronic devices/accessories in terms of space, efficiency and operation during travel.

A machine for generating mechanical energy and functioning on the principle of exploitation of centrifugal forces of masses being displaced along a closed mechanical circuit over at least a curved section of the circuit. Optionally, the machines also functions on the principle of energy gain caused by masses falling under the influence of gravity in the closed circuit that is permanently maintained in a state of dynamic unbalance with an input, continuous or not, of external energy.

A force amplifier has a guide track, a non-locking screw threadedly engaging the track to spirally move in response to an axial input force applied to the proximal end of the non-locking screw. The force amplifier includes a compliant component coupled to the non-locking screw by one end and to a self-locking screw by the other end. The compliant component is configured to transmit a torque generated by the non-locking screw to the self-locking screw, which is actuated to move spirally along the track while generating an axial output force greater than the input force.

A spring-based mechanism for saving labor of a bicycle rider is disclosed and in one embodiment includes an axle operatively connected to a chain wheel and a first set of bearings via a gear assembly; a housing for mounting a shaft therein wherein the first set of bearings is provided at one end of the shaft; a second set of bearings provided at the other end of the shaft; a spring in the housing and having one end attached to one end of the shaft and the other end attached to the other end of the housing; and a clutch provided externally of the other end of the housing, the clutch being operatively connected to the second set of bearings and including a lock lever. The mechanism can store elastic force by counterclockwise pedaling and release the stored energy by disengaging a clutch from the mechanism when riding uphill.

A motor mounted on a structural support with a pivot at its center line which comprises a cylindrical vessel for holding a fluid in a closed system and in which a buoyant cylinder containing a lighter fluid is allowed to free float so that a cable attached to either end of the buoyant cylinder may be used to transfer energy to a energy storage unit, a crank or a generator. Two moment arms having a weight attached at the exterior end and inside attachably connected to the surface of two drive pistons that operate in pressure tanks which force a compressed gas against the pistons through pre-sequenced automatic activated valves to extend or retract the moment arms at the end of a cycle. The motor then becomes top heavy and rotates 180 degrees by gravity and relocks in place to repeat the cycle.

A concentric cross mechanism for transiting torsion includes a main body unit of a concentric cross mechanism, a main body unit of the torsion-driven mechanism, a main body unit of the force-generating mechanism, and a restriction device. A center point is defined by crossing a vertical concentric axis and a horizontal concentric axis. The axle of the driven bevel gear and the scroll springs spin reversely with the axle of the torsion-generating bevel gear. The first bevel gear is provided for outputting the torsion on the upper and bottom ends thereof. Furthermore, when the rotary rod connected with one side of the torsion output axle is disposed between the positioning block and the positioning post, the door is driven by the other side of the torsion output axle to swing in a predetermined angle.

A control device for blinds includes a transmission unit, a scrolling unit and a tilting unit, the transmission unit includes a case in which a coil spring and a gear unit are received. The coil spring is connected between the gear unit and the case. The scrolling unit includes two scrolling rods which are rotated with a transmission rod. Each scrolling rod has a lift cord wrapped thereon and extending through slats of the blinds. The tilting unit includes two tilt members connected to two respective end sections of the two scrolling rods. Two tilt cords have two respective positioning members which are clamped in two clamp grooves of the two tilt members and the tilt cords extend through the slats. The gears in the gear unit can be adjusted so as to cooperate with slats of different weights.

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for generating energy through oscillatory motion requiring little input. Oscillatory motion is generated using a substantially circular trough containing a liquid, inflatable bags positioned below the trough and a movable weight. The trough is pivotally connected to a central point about which it oscillates. Sustained oscillatory motion is encouraged by inflating and deflating the bags in coordination with the movable weight within the trough and a biased member upon which the bags reside. The oscillatory motion may be captured and transferred to rotary motion which may be used to drive a generator.

An actuation mechanism for a tarping system includes a double coil spring mountable on a pivot shaft of the mechanism. A bushing is mounted on the pivot shaft and within the double coil spring. The bushing includes an eccentric external periphery that limits the deflection of the spring, particularly at the transition points between the center portion and each of the coil portions of the spring. As the spring winds or coils, the coil portions progressively contact the eccentric periphery of the bushing to not only limit further movement of the coil portions, but also to provide support for those portions under load.