Other

William L Street

James W Summers

Al Alfers

John G Fruncek

Joseph D Lewis

A sun meter having a processor receiving a signal from a photocell. The processor first compares the signal to a first threshold to determine if it is daytime. If it is daytime, the processor then compares the signal to a second threshold to determine if the signal is greater than a value selected to correspond with direct sunlight. If the signal is greater than the second threshold, a counter counts. For each day of use, the amount of time of direct sun is tallied and may be displayed. An average amount of direct sun for a period of days may also be displayed. It is anticipated that a plurality of meters will be utilized in a specific area to determine the specific locations which receive the most direct sunlight and then know what plants will thrive and where to place such plants.

Sun meter and method of operation

An apparatus for use in assembling kits of parts for use in manufacturing where workers pick the components or parts from bins that are stocked with the parts. The apparatus includes sensing means to detect the presence of a worker's hand in a bin and a display indicates the number of components in a bin that are to be retrieved or picked for a kit for a particular product. Once the sensing means senses the presence of a worker's hand in a bin, the display will be automatically dimmed for a predetermined time which is proportional to the number of components or parts which are to be taken from the bin. The apparatus is preferably configured so that adjacent modular units will not interfere with one another with respect to the sensing functionality and the sensing operation by the three detectors in each modular unit are also time multiplexed so that interference among the three is not experienced.

Apparatus for use in parts assembly

An automated milking system includes galvanized metal stall structures, and in a parlor system a galvanized metal grate for the hind feet of a cow. An extraneous voltage protective unit is provided to prevent initiating electrical current flow in the cow because of small extraneous voltages which may be created in the milking system. The milking machines include a stainless steel claw and a plastic transfer hose to a similar steel collection pipe. A stainless steel pipe is inserted in the hose. A voltage compensator/sensor is coupled to the claw and the pipe insert to monitor the claw and generate a compensating voltage applied to the milking system to neutralize, compensate or otherwise effectively eliminate current flow through the cow at the udder. An A.C. signal monitor and a total signal monitor are coupled to the circuit to monitor and indicate stray alternating current voltages in the system, to monitor and indicate the sum of D.C. voltages and A.C. voltages in the system. A limit control may detect a voltage along a selected limit and disconnect the protective apparatus and indicate such condition.

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Kiel, WI, United States of America

William L Street