Renerge, Inc.

Grassroots Biotechnology, Inc.

Monsanto Technology LLC

Lord Corporation

Scott Kennedy

Philip N Benfey

Robert Louis Clark, Jr

Gregory Fricke

Richard W Twigg, Iii

Lisa Mauck Weiland

Russell E Altieri

Douglas A Swanson

Daniel Kakaley

Robert Clark

Charles A Clifton

William Arlendo Smith

Gary Martin

Gregory Kealoha Fricke

Iii Twigg Richard W

Iii Richard W Twigg

Torque sensing devices, systems, and methods are capable of measuring and/or determining a torque being transmitted through a shaft by measuring the torsional deformation of the shaft over a short length thereof. Such devices, systems, and devices have a sensor positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the shaft as it rotates, the sensor being positioned to maintain a substantially constant distance between the sensor and the outer surface of the shaft. The sensors may be variable reluctance (VR) sensors rigidly attached to a frame mounted on a bearing (e.g., a hanger bearing), which is mounted on the shaft, such that relative radial motion between the shaft and the VR sensor is minimized (e.g., so that they move in unison). Reducing this amount of motion results in a more accurate torque measurement.

Hanger bearing mounted torque sensor

An energy harvester including a stand supporting the energy harvester in a fluid flow, i.e. a stream or current; at least one bluff body extending from the stand and positioned substantially perpendicular to the fluid flow, wherein each bluff body moves relative to the stand at least in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow, wherein sufficient flow causes oscillating movement of the bluff body; and an electrical generator coupled to the stand and coupled to at least one bluff body converting the oscillating movement to electrical power, wherein the rate of electrical power generation per movement of the bluff body (or harvesting) is varied throughout a range of amplitudes of the oscillation of the bluff body and wherein the harvesting rate of at least one amplitude of the body oscillation is greater than the harvesting rate of at least one lower amplitude of the body oscillation.

Fluid flow induced oscillating energy harvester with variable damping based upon oscillation amplitude

A fluid flow induced oscillating energy harvester includes a stand supporting the harvester in a fluid flow; a support member mounted for movement relative to the stand in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction; a bluff body positioned substantially perpendicular to the flow direction and pivotally mounted to the support member at a position off-center from the center of mass of the bluff body, wherein sufficient fluid flow causes an oscillating movement of the bluff body and the support member relative to the stand; and an electrical generator coupled to the support member and configured to convert oscillating movement of the support member to electrical power. The harvester may include a support member spring supporting the support member for oscillation about a support member rest position wherein the support member spring exhibits a higher stiffness at higher oscillation amplitudes of the bluff body and the support member.

Fluid flow induced oscillating energy harvester maximizing power output through off-center mounted toggling bluff body and/or suspension stiffening mechanism

A plant growth array device includes an aerial growth chamber configured to receive aerial shoot portions of a plurality of plants and a root growth chamber configured to receive root portions of the plurality of plants. A dividing member is between the aerial growth chamber and the root chamber and has a plurality of apertures for receiving the plurality of plants therein. The plurality of apertures are configured so that the root portions grow substantially in a common orientation.

Plant growth and imaging devices and related methods and computer program products

Growing community of inventors

Durham, NC, United States of America

Scott Kennedy