A cable reel assembly comprises a hub configured to house a field communication distribution box with front and rear flanges projecting radially outward from front and rear edges of the hub. A cable receiving trough is formed between the flanges in which a communications cable may be wound. A nesting ring which is smaller in diameter that the front and rear flanges projects outward from the second flange. The nesting ring of a first cable reel assembly is positionable within an area surrounded by the first flange of a second cable reel to facilitate stacking of the cable reels.

For the coupling of two parallel contact wires of an elastic contact line system with a rigid contact line system, which has a power track (3) and a contact wire (4) affixed thereon, an elongated cantilever (5) is provided in a transition area, whose rigidity increases in the longitudinal direction from the elastic contact line system to the rigid contact line system. The two contact wires (1, 2) of the elastic contact line system are located along the cantilever parallel to the first contact wire (4), which is, in turn, clamped over the entire length of the cantilever. All three contact wires (1, 2, 4) are affixed on several multiple clamps (9) in the area of the cantilever (5), which clamps are located in a distributed manner along the cantilever. The multiple clamps (9) are located in recesses (12) of the cantilever.

Controlling a power system in a mining truck includes receiving data indicative of an expected change in suitability of the mining truck for on-trolley operation, and outputting a control command to an actuating mechanism for a pantograph responsive to the data and prior to occurrence of the expected suitability change. A mining truck and power system are further provided, wherein a pantograph having an electrical contactor is adjusted between a first configuration contacting an overhead trolley line, and a rest configuration, responsive to data indicative of the expected suitability change.

An aerial cable car system including transportation operating equipment for passenger and/or freight transport, wherein electrical consumers are connected for operation thereof to a rechargeable electrical energy store of a transportation operating equipment by a respective power circuit. The transportation operating equipment includes an operating control device connected to measuring devices for dynamically capturing measurement values based on available quantity of energy in the energy store. The operating control device includes a storage module having at least one stored measurement control value and an associated control parameter. The operating control device includes a filter module comparing a captured measurement value to the at least one stored measurement control value and reading out corresponding stored control parameter, based on which power circuits can be selectively coupled or decoupled to the energy store by the operating control device. Electrical consumers in transportation operating equipment can be fed without interruption by the energy store, even during travel.

The invention relates to a current collector 1 for a device 2 that can be displaced with and against the driving direction F along a conductor line 5, comprising a current collector cart 8 for the guided displacement along a guide element 9 of the conductor line 5, and an energy transmission system. The invention solves the problem of providing a current collector and an energy transmission system, which enable an energy-conserving, contact-reliable and damage-free displacement of the current collector along a conductor line and a simple connection of the current collector to the conductor line, in that at least one first lever assembly 12L between the current collector cart 8 and displaceable device 2 is provided with a first drive lever arm 13L, the first end of which can be connected in a rotatable manner to the displaceable device 2 and the second end of which is connected in a rotatable manner to a second end of at least one first tension lever arm 14L, the first end thereof being connected in a rotatable manner to a current collector cart, wherein a first adjustment drive 15L is provided in order to be able to move the current collector cart 8 between a retracted position on the displaceable device 2 and an extended position away from the displaceable device 2, and wherein a first locking device 16; 18L; 15L is provided, in order to lock the first drive lever arm 13L when displacing the displaceable device 2 in the driving direction F in a predetermined extended position.

Disclosed is a system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle, in particular to a track bound vehicle such as a light rail vehicle. The system includes an electric conductor arrangement for producing an alternating electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle. The electric conductor arrangement includes at least one alternating current line. Each alternating current line carries one phase of an alternating electric current. The conductor arrangement includes a plurality of consecutive segments. The segments extend along the path of travel of the, vehicle. Each segment includes one section of each of the at least one alternating current line.

A power cord management system for managing flexible electrical power cords associated with hair or bathroom handheld appliances includes a power cord storage body. A pair of spaced apart cord wrapping elements are coupled to the power storage body about which the flexible electrical power cord may be wrapped for storage. At least one of the cord wrapping elements is movable between a storage and release position. The cord wrapping elements are configured to retain the wrapped power cord upon the power cord storage body when the at least one of the cord wrapping elements is in the storage position and wherein the wrapped power cord may be removed from the power cord storage body without unwrapping the wrapped power cord when the at least one of the cord wrapping elements is moved to the release position. A power cord coupling mechanism is coupled to the power cord storage body for facilitating releasable retaining of a free end or other portion of the flexible electrical power cord to the power cord storage body.

A system for transferring energy to a vehicle, in particular a track bound vehicle, such as a light rail vehicle, wherein the system includes an electric conductor arrangement adapted to produce an electromagnetic field which can be received by the vehicle thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle the system further includes electric and/or electronic devices which are adapted to operate the electric conductor arrangement. The devices produce heat while operating the conductor arrangement and—therefore—are to be cooled. A cooling arrangement of the system includes a structure having a cavity in which at least one of the devices to be cooled is located. The structure includes a cover limiting the cavity at the top, wherein the device(s) to be cooled is/are located at a distance to the cover. The structure is integrated in the ground at the path of travel of the vehicle in such a manner that the cover forms a part of the surface of the ground.

The present invention is vehicle electric power supply system (A) that supplies electric power wirelessly to a vehicle (M) that is positioned within an electric power supply area (X). The vehicle electric power supply system (A) has: a power-receiving device (m1) that is provided in the vehicle; a plurality of power-transmitting devices (1a1, 1a2, 1a3, 1b1, 1b2, 1b3, 1c1, 1c2, 1c3) that are provided at mutually different positions within the electric power supply area; a position detecting device (4) that detects the position of the power-receiving device within the electric power supply area; and a control device (4) that, based on detection results from the position detecting device, selects from among the plurality of power-transmitting devices the power-transmitting device that is located in a position that corresponds to the power-receiving device, and then causes power to be supplied wirelessly from the selected power-transmitting device.

In a catenary-based transportation system which is provided with integrated power supply equipment having an electricity storage unit which stores electricity regenerated by vehicles traveling by electricity received from a catenary and supplies electricity to the catenary and the other power supply system which is a power supply system different from the electricity storage unit concerned, the performance of a rectifier of the other power supply system is determined based on a power-supplying contribution ratio γ of the other power supply system so that the cost value of the integrated power supply equipment becomes lower than a target cost value.

Systems and methods for controlling exhaust steam temperatures from a finishing superheater are provided. In certain embodiments, the system includes a controller which includes control logic for predicting an exhaust temperature of steam from the finishing superheater using model-based predictive techniques (e.g., based on empirical data or thermodynamic calculations). Based on the predicted exhaust temperature of steam, the control logic may use feed-forward control techniques to control the operation of an inter-stage attemperation system upstream of the finishing superheater. The control logic may determine if attemperation is required based on whether the predicted exhaust temperature of steam from the finishing superheater exceeds a set point temperature as well as whether the inlet temperature of steam into the finishing superheater drops below a set point temperature of steam. The attemperation system may include a characterizing function to linearize the valve operation controlled by the control logic to inject cooled, high-pressure feedwater into the steam upstream of the finishing superheater, which may, in turn, control the exhaust temperature of steam from the finishing superheater. The disclosed embodiments may also be applied to any systems where an outlet temperature of a fluid from a heat transfer device may be controlled.

A heating system comprising a fuel burner in co-operation with a primary heat exchanger, a reservoir for storing warmed water in, and a blending valve, and a controller wherein in use a user can signal to the controller to warm the water in the water store using a heater or by the primary heat exchanger, and when hot water is required water is removed from the water store and mixed with water from a cold main prior to being or after the water from the cold main has been admitted to a further heat exchanger for heating the water.

A hot water supply system includes a first tank for storing hot water for heating; a second tank for storing hot water to be supplied to a hot water tap; a heater circulation path for supplying the hot water of the first tank to a heater; a first path that includes a first heat transfer portion surrounding the exposed portion of the second tank to the inside of the first tank and that connects the first tank to a forward portion of the heater circulation path so that the hot water of the first tank can be supplied to the heater through the first heat transfer portion; and a second path that includes a second heat transfer portion disposed along the first heat transfer portion, and that allows heat exchange between the hot water of the second tank and the hot water flowing through the first heat transfer portion due to the flow, in the second heat transfer portion, of the hot water of the second tank.

A water delivery system is provided, comprising at least one faucet device with a cold water faucet part and a hot water faucet part, a cold water line to the at least one faucet device, a tankless heater device for heating water, a hot water line having a first portion running from an outlet of the tankless heater device to the at least one faucet device and having a second portion running from the at least one faucet device to an inlet of the tankless heater device, and a circulatory pump arranged in the second portion of the hot water line, wherein the circulatory pump has a prefixed first performance level and a prefixed second performance level, wherein the first performance level causes a finite water flow in the hot water line which is below an operation threshold value of the tankless heater device.

A buckstay connecting system includes a socket part that is fixed to the horizontal buckstay being separated from a lower end of the vertical buckstay between the lower end of the vertical buckstay and the horizontal buckstay, and an insertion part that is fixed to a lower portion of the vertical buckstay, is inserted into the socket part so as to be able to slide in a vertical direction, inhibits the horizontal buckstay from being inclined, and is allowed to be fastened to the socket part.

A fluid heating system for heating and dispensing fluid in a primary fluid flow path is disclosed, and may include a reservoir defining an interior for holding a quantity of a fluid, with the interior being in fluid communication with the primary fluid flow path such that the quantity of fluid in the interior is able to flow into the primary fluid flow path. A primary pump may be configured to pump fluid in the primary fluid flow path, the primary pump being in fluid communication with the primary fluid flow path. A fluid dispensing device may be configured to selectively dispense fluid from the primary fluid flow path. A steam injection apparatus may be in communication with the interior of the reservoir device to inject steam into the interior to heat fluid located in the interior of the reservoir.

A system providing for heat recovery from exhausted flue gas in a steam generator is described comprising a flue gas outlet conduit defining a flow path for flue gas from a flue gas outlet of a steam generator to a flue gas conduit junction point; a flue gas primary conduit defining a flow path for flue gas from the junction to a primary air preheater; a flue gas secondary conduit defining a flow path for flue gas from the junction to a secondary air preheater; wherein a steam generator process fluid heat exchanger is disposed within the flow path of the flue gas primary conduit upstream of the primary air preheater to recover some heat from the flue gas in advance of the primary air preheater. A method implementing the flow principles embodied in such a system is also described.

The building heat exchange system is suited for installation in areas having warmer seasonal climates. The system can include an external solar heated water supply, and an indoor water heater. An enclosure extends around the water heater, with indoor air flowing between the enclosure and water heater to a duct for distribution. During cooler conditions the water heater heats incoming water from the relatively cool external water supply, with the warmth of the water heater warming the air for distribution into the bathroom or other area as desired. In warmer times, the water supplied from the water supply can be sufficiently hot that additional heating is not needed, and can be hotter than desired. In such warmer conditions, the water heater can serve as a radiator, with heat radiated from the water heater being absorbed by air flowing past the water heater and expelled to the external environment.

Disclosed is a masterless control system for controlling a plurality of fluidly and operably connected water heaters to meet a hot water demand such that overall efficiency is maximized and usage disparity between water heaters is minimized. There is further disclosed a method for detecting a small system demand in said network by adjusting the setting of each flow limiting valve of each water heater. There is still further disclosed a method for enabling seamless addition or removal of a heater in service and heating load distribution to water heaters.

When a detection temperature by a hot-water tank thermister (42) has been equal to or lower than a re-heating determination temperature over at least a re-heating determination time, a tank controller (50) performs a sterilization process by heating hot water within a hot-water tank (30) by means of a heat pump unit (60); and when the detection temperature by the hot-water tank thermister (42) has been equal to or lower than a determination temperature for prohibiting the use of hot water in the hot-water tank over at least a determination time for prohibiting the use of hot water in the hot-water tank, the tank controller (50) performs only a temperature regulation control via heating while keeping a hot-water flow regulation valve (34) in a closed state.

This invention relates to a heating/cooling system operating on the basis of a novel SPLIT BUFFER TANK; representing an efficiency improvement alternative to HVAC systems functioning with existing commercial buffer tanks. Currently, commercial buffers have the heat source provider (HSP)-return and system-return discharging to a common buffer/vessel. Novel SPLIT BUFFER is provided with a SEPARATION DISK placed inside the tank as mechanical way of separating the hot water inflow from the HSP from the warmer water inflow from system return. The disk moves up and down along the tank driven by demanded water supply and return. Pump-1 circulates hot water from the hot section of the buffer to the secondary system claiming for heat. Pump-2 circulates warmer water from the warmer section of the buffer through the HSP where it is reheated, and subsequently stored in the hot section of the buffer to reinitiate this cycle again.

A system includes a gas turbine engine that includes a compressor section configured to generate compressed air and a combustor coupled to the compressor section. The combustor is configured to combust a first mixture comprising the compressed air and a first fuel to generate a first combustion gas. The gas turbine engine also includes a turbine section coupled to the combustor. The turbine section is configured to expand the first combustion gas to generate an exhaust gas. The gas turbine engine also includes a boiler coupled to the turbine section. The boiler is configured to combust a second mixture comprising a portion of the first combustion gas and a second fuel to generate a second combustion gas that is routed to the turbine section. In addition, the boiler generates a first steam from heat exchange with the second combustion gas.

When a detection temperature by a hot-water tank thermister (42) has been equal to or lower than a re-heating determination temperature over at least a re-heating determination time, a tank controller (50) performs a sterilization process by heating hot water within a hot-water tank (31) by means of a heat pump unit (60); and when the detection temperature by the hot-water tank thermister (42) has been equal to or lower than a determination temperature for prohibiting the use of stored hot water over at least a determination time for prohibiting the use of stored hot water, the tank controller (50) performs only a temperature regulation control via heating while keeping a hot-water flow regulation valve (34) in a closed state.

Disclosed is a hot water supply system provided with a tank which holds a high-temperature liquid, and a heating means for generating the high-temperature liquid which is stored in the aforementioned tank. In the lower portion of the aforementioned tank is provided a water-heating heat exchanger which heats the water to be supplied to a hot water terminal by means of the liquid present in the lower portion of the aforementioned tank. Further, a hot water supply circuit is provided which conducts water to the aforementioned hot water supply terminal. The aforementioned hot water supply circuit splits into a water-heating path passing through the aforementioned water-heating heat exchanger, and a bypass path bypassing the aforementioned water-heating heat exchanger, and is provided with a hot water supply circuit control mechanism which controls the circulation state of the water in the aforementioned water-heating path and the aforementioned bypass path.

A domestic combined heat and power system including a power unit, a heat-storage tank which receives waste heat of the power unit for storing heat in direct water, and a main heat exchanger connected to the heat-storage tank, being heated by a burner so as to use the water as hot water. A waste-heat heat exchanger filled with a heat-transfer medium is installed between the power unit and the heat-storage tank such that a waste-heat pipe is arranged in the form of a coil at one side inside the waste-heat heat exchanger, and a heat-storage pipe of the heat-storage tank is arranged in the form of a coil at the other side. Waste heat of the power unit is indirectly heat exchanged to the heat-storage tank through the heat-transfer medium. Costs and waste of energy consumption are reduced, and there is sharing of functions that are duplicated across the heat-storage tank.

A tube disposed in the combustion chamber of a standing pilot type fuel-fired water heater is used to increase the overall efficiency of the water heater by improving the heat transfer from the pilot flame to the tank during standby periods by funneling the standing pilot flame upwardly through the tube in a manner concentrating the pilot flame heat against an underside portion of the bottom head of the water heater tank. To further increase water heater efficiency, the pilot burner is of a dual input type. Various pilot burner operational algorithm modes are disclosed for causing the pilot burner to operate at a high firing rate during main burner operation, and at a low firing rate during standby periods.

An improved animal prod having a base shaped to engage a portion of the animal's hindquarter and a thigh engaging assembly shaped and positioned to engage a portion of at least one of the animal's hind legs generally near the animal's inside thigh and generally near the animal's hindquarter in an operating position of the animal prod with the base engaging the animal's hindquarter.

Disclosed is a container system that is adapted to be accessed by horse mounted users. The container system finds particular application in storing equestrian implements, such as riding crops. The container is mounted at an elevated height upon a fence and additionally includes rounded forward faces. Thus, the container is easy to access by riders and presents less of a danger to the horse and its rider. Furthermore, the container is advantageously formed from a weather resistant plastic material.

The present invention provides a system that allows an easy and quick exchange of small batteries of hearing devices as well as a method for exchanging a battery of a hearing device that combines the installation of a new battery into the hearing device with the deinstallation of the battery to be replaced from the hearing device in a single action using a single mechanism. The inventive battery exchange system comprises a carrier module 1, which features a hearing device receiving means shaped to receive a part of a hearing device 4 and a battery passage that traverses the carrier module 1, a battery dispensing module 2 adapted to accommodate at least one battery 7 and a battery ejection means 3 adapted to eject a battery 7 from the battery dispensing module 2 into the battery passage of the carrier module 1.

A method for processing application forms comprising extracting content from filled first forms of consumers, each of the first forms comprising one or more fields, arranging the extracted content of one or more fields of the plurality of fields of the plurality of filled first forms in a first matrix; encoding the content of each of the rows of the first matrix to define a second matrix; and disposing the encoded content of the second matrix in multiple empty second forms such that content of one column is disposed on only one of the empty second forms, each of the second forms includes the same type and number of fields as that of one of the filled first forms, further wherein the number of the filled second forms is based on the number of the one or more fields in the filled first forms.

Disclosed is a packaging system (10) for containing and dispensing loose filled product units. An inverted tray (20) is sealed to a backer board (40) with a guide insert disposed there between defining an interior chamber that is also filled with product units. The guide insert may include a base flange (38), a pair of side flanges for funneling product units into the truncated area that defines a next dispensing position. A flexible bridge (34) includes at least one high point and a fence portion that can descend into the base flange upon application of sufficient pressure to the at least one high point. This allows a product unit to advance to a dispensing position such that product units can be dispensed one at a time through user manipulation of the flexible bridge.

An apparatus is provided for delivering single-dose packages sequentially from a substantially continuous strip having a first dispensing end and a second end. The strip includes a cover layer attached to a base layer to define a plurality of blisters therebetween that have one or more medications therein. The blisters are aligned in single file generally along the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends and/or otherwise arranged in single-dose packages adjacent one another, e.g., at least some of the single-dose packages including a plurality of blisters having different types of medications therein. A first single-dose package at the first dispensing end may be separable from a second adjacent single-dose package such that individual single-dose packages may be removed successively from the first dispensing end.

Methods, apparatuses and systems for radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled information collection are disclosed, including an enclosure, a collector coupled to the enclosure, an interrogator, a processor, and one or more RFID field sensors, each having an individual identification, disposed within the enclosure. In operation, the interrogator transmits an incident signal to the collector, causing the collector to generate an electromagnetic field within the enclosure. The electromagnetic field is affected by one or more influences. RFID sensors respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting reflected signals containing the individual identifications of the responding RFID sensors to the interrogator. The interrogator receives the reflected signals, measures one or more returned signal strength indications (“RSSI”) of the reflected signals and sends the RSSI measurements and identification of the responding RFID sensors to the processor to determine one or more facts about the influences. Other embodiments are also described.

In a preferred embodiment, an Automated Pharmacy Admixture System (APAS) may include a manipulator system to transport medical containers such as bags, vials, or syringes in a compounding chamber regulated to a pressure below atmospheric pressure. In a preferred implementation, the manipulator system is configured to grasp and convey syringes, IV bags, and vials of varying shapes and sizes from a storage system in an adjacent chamber regulated at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. Various embodiments may include a controller adapted to actuate the manipulator system to bring a fill port of an IV bag, vial, or syringe into register with a filling port at a fluid transfer station in the chamber. A preferred implementation includes a sanitization system that can substantially sanitize a bung on a fill port of a vial or IV bag in preparation for transport to the fluid transfer station.

A table saw includes a base assembly having a base structure and side walls, a table top assembly top surface, and an undercarriage assembly including a motor. The undercarriage assembly is configured to adjust the vertical and angular position of a blade relative to the table top assembly, and includes an undercarriage frame and cover together defining a narrow housing configured and sized to enclose substantially all of an installed blade under the top surface. The housing has an upper pivot for adjusting the angular position of the blade and is configured to have the motor slidably mounted therein to adjust the vertical position of the blade. A removable port structure attached to a bottom portion of the undercarriage assembly has an outlet port at an outer end that is configured to be connected to a vacuum source.

Systems and methods for adjusting a moisture concentration of veneer are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the method for adjusting a moisture concentration of a veneer can include estimating a moisture concentration of a veneer surface at one or more locations thereon. The method can also include comparing the one or more estimated locations to a minimum moisture concentration level. The method can also include moisturizing at least a portion of the one or more estimated locations that are below the minimum moisture concentration level to increase the moisture concentration thereof.

A table tool includes a table which carries a power tool. The table includes table base and a table top. The table top includes a central table top portion fixed to the table base. The central table top portion of the table top includes a left perimeter, a right perimeter, and a rear perimeter. A first table top extension is configured to be selectively coupled to the table on the left perimeter, and the right perimeter of the central table top portion with the first table top extension slideable relative to the central table top portion. A second table top extension is configured to be selectively coupled to the left perimeter, the right perimeter, and the rear perimeter of the central table top portion with the second table top extension fixed relative to the central table top portion.

A paper transport system for transporting a web in a printing system includes a stationary bar positioned such that the web slides over a portion of an exterior surface of the bar, a rotatable source roller for supplying unused cover material, and a rotatable take-up roller for receiving used cover material. Cover material extends between the source roller and the take-up roller and is disposed over the portion of the exterior surface of the bar that the web slides over. A locking mechanism can be used to maintain tension in the cover material.

A hose deployment and retrieval system is described that includes a modular reel assembly. The modular reel assembly includes a reel having a hub around which a hose may be wound and a wheel assembly on either side of the hub and spaced to accept the hose there between. The reel assembly also includes an axle in the center of the hub around which the hub can spin and a base holding the axle. A deployment fork assembly includes a reel assembly mount for engaging with the modular reel assembly and a drive mechanism to spin the reel when the deployment fork assembly is engaged with the modular reel assembly, wherein the deployment fork assembly is adapted to mount to a vehicle.

A system for storing, rotating and feeding a high pressure hose. A first portion of the hose is disposable about the drum and a guide arm engages a second portion of the hose. An actuator assembly rotates a cage and the guide arm so that the guide arm rotates relative to the cage such that the hose is rotated. Relative rotation in one direction causes the first portion of the hose to uncoil from the drum and displace along the guide arm and causes a third portion of the high pressure hose in an output port to displace out of the output port away from the guide arm. Relative rotation in an opposite direction causes the second portion of the high pressure hose to coil about the drum and causes the third portion of the high pressure hose to displace into the housing.

A fly reel comprises a housing having a back plate, a spindle extending from the back plate, a spool rotatably mounted on the spindle, an adjustable drag assembly fixed to the spool and rotatably mounted with the spool, the adjustable drag assembly is adapted to provide controlled friction against the spool during rotation of the spool, a crank member for rotating the spool in a first direction, and a one way clutch operatively associated with the spindle for permitting rotation of the crank member in the first direction only whereby the spool is adapted to rotate independent of the crank in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. In addition, the drag adjustment knob of the reel is disposed on the same side as the reel crank handle and the drag components may be sealed within a cartridge.

A method and apparatus are described for creating a pass marker in a field. During planting, planting of seed is stopped and started on pass marker rows differently than on adjacent rows to create a visible offset to assist a harvester or applicator to find and drive down the right row to prevent skips and overlaps.

An agricultural implement system that includes a control system configured to receive a first signal to initiate seeding operations, to transition a ground engaging tool toward a working position at a first time after receiving the first signal, and to activate a product delivery system at a second time, different from the first time, after receiving the first signal.

A system for controlling air flow within an agricultural product metering system is provided. One system for distributing an agricultural product includes an air conveyance system having a blower configured to provide an air stream for moving metered product toward a distribution device. The air conveyance system is mounted on an air cart. The system also includes control circuitry mounted on an agricultural vehicle, and configured to adjust a speed of the blower based at least partially on a product flow rate from the air cart.

A stack-fold implement having a central bulk fill hopper assembly is provided. The bulk fill hopper assembly is mounted to the center frame section of the stack-told implement and does not affect the narrowness of the stack-fold implement when it's in a stacked, transport position, The hopper assembly includes a pair of bulk fill hoppers or tanks supported by cradle that is in turn supported by a pair of wheels. The cradle is removably coupled to the center frame section by a plurality of rigid frame members.

A metering system for a seeding machine is provided. The metering system includes selectively powered metering sections operable to individually allow or restrict seed dispensation. A damper arrangement is also provided so that pneumatic conveying of the particulate within the machine is consistently maintained when particulate flow is varied between the metering sections.

An agricultural device includes a number of row units that each includes a seed furrow opener that creates a furrow in the soil for seed placement. Each row unit is mounted to a toolbar of the device by a four-bar linkage which allows each row unit to move vertically to adjust to the contour of the soil independently of the other row units on the same toolbar. The four-bar linkages include one or more springs which work to transfer weight from the toolbar to the row unit. An actuator varies the tension in the spring thereby adjusting the down or up force applied to the row unit.

A dynamic supplemental downforce control system for a planter row unit. The system includes closed-loop feedback circuit that cooperates with a downforce actuator to dynamically control fluid flow to the downforce actuator to maintain balance between the actual gauge wheel downforce and a desired gauge wheel downforce during planting operations.

A method and apparatus for managing undesired material in an area. A sensor system monitors the area for the undesired material. A number of operations is performed on the area using a vehicle system. The vehicle system comprises a vehicle and a structure connected to the vehicle. A computer system receives data for the area from the sensor system. The computer system identifies a presence of the undesired material along a number of paths in the area using the data to form an identification. The computer system initiates removal of the undesired material based on the identification.

Agricultural seed planting systems are provided. In some aspects, the system includes a processing unit, a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame for opening a furrow in soil, and a sensor in communication with the processing unit and adapted to sense a characteristic associated with seed planting. The sensor may generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic and the processing unit may receive the signal. In some aspects, the sensed characteristic may be either a soil characteristic or a seed characteristic. Information associated with the sensed characteristic can be saved in memory for future use and to assist with more effective planting in the future.