Other

Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated

Terry L Nelson

Robert S Wallace

James M Reichman

Ian C Goldey

A trailer hitching aid includes a dual transmitter mounted on the forward end of a trailer or other vehicle to be towed and arranged to transmit pulses of infrared light and pulses of ultrasonic sound. A towing vehicle mounts on its rear end an infrared light detector and a pair of laterally spaced ultrasonic sound detectors. The detectors are incorporated in an electrical circuit which includes a computer the program of which operates to measure the time difference between the detection of a light burst and the detection of sound bursts. The time differences then are utilizes to calculate the distance from each detector to the transmitter, and the distances and angles between the detectors and transmitter are displayed on the computer screen as visual indications to direct the operator of the towing vehicle to maneuver the vehicle to back it up and bring the hitch components on the vehicles into coupling registry.

Trailer hitching aid and method using reception delay of different

Universal cup holder

An underground cable installing apparatus is disclosed herein along with its method of operation. The apparatus utilizes a power driven land vehicle and an elongated cable laying plow handle supported by and for movement with the vehicle in a way which places a lowermost end portion of the blade in the ground with its cutting edge disposed in the direction of movement of the vehicle. In accordance with one operational feature of the apparatus disclosed herein, a plurality of high impact fluid jets are used to aid the cable laying plow blade in cutting through the earth. In accordance with another feature, the blade is also subjected to vibration, preferably by placing a vibratory member on the in-ground portion of the blade.

Underground cable installing apparatus and method utilizing a fluid jet

A support structure, such as for use in supporting a solar panel-reflector panel system on a roof top, said structure having a generally V-shaped cross-section and comprising opposed wing members which are commonly supported by an elongate tubular member of rectangular cross-section which comprises the base of said V-shape. The wing members, comprising the arms of said V-shape, are adapted to be supported solely by said tubular member, each at an angle of from about 5.degree. to about 85.degree. above horizontal depending upon the end use requirements such as geographic location. For solar panel-reflector panel systems, preferably the support wing for the solar panels is mounted on the tubular member in fixed position at an angle of from about 50.degree. to 70.degree. above horizontal while the support wing for the reflector panels is hingedly mounted on the tubular member for adjustable positioning between a working angle of from about 10.degree. to 30.degree. above horizontal and a non-working or shield position in which the support wing for the reflector panels is pivoted past vertical position to a position in which it is parallel to and closely associated with the other wing supporting the solar panels to cover and protect the latter during periods of non-use.

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Camas Valley, OR, United States of America

Terry L Nelson