An aerosol generating device is provided, including a vaporiser configured to vaporise an aerosol-forming substrate; a battery connected to the vaporiser a control circuit configured to control a supply of power from the battery to the vaporiser; a memory storing a usage record of the device; and a replacement indicator configured to provide a signal to a user. The control circuit is configured to compare a measured voltage across the battery to a threshold voltage, and to generate an error signal to update the usage record if the measured voltage is less than the threshold voltage during an operation cycle. The control circuit is also configured to access the usage record and to activate the replacement indicator depending on the status of the usage record.

A valve includes an inlet and an outlet; a body including a first seat and a second seat; a cavity in the body; a piston positioned in the cavity; and a pilot ball adjacent the piston and that is disposed in a pilot seat, and a rear surface of the piston butts against the pilot seat at a maximum open position of the piston. Each of the first seat and the second seat is a seat that is a mechanical stop that prevents the piston from extending further than the closed position. The piston includes a flat front face that contacts the first seat when in the closed position, and a nose extension that extends outward and away from a center portion of the front face, and the nose extension has an opening through a center of a front surface thereof.

A valve includes an inlet and an outlet; a body including a first seat and a second seat; a cavity in the body; a piston positioned in the cavity; and a pilot ball adjacent the piston and that is disposed in a pilot seat, and a rear surface of the piston butts against the pilot seat at a maximum open position of the piston. Each of the first seat and the second seat is a seat that is a mechanical stop that prevents the piston from extending further than the closed position. The piston includes a flat front face that contacts the first seat when in the closed position, and a nose extension that extends outward and away from a center portion of the front face, and the nose extension has an opening through a center of a front surface thereof.

Compositions and methods of protecting plants from cold damage are provided. In particular, the invention provides compositions comprising plant-based nano- and/or micron-sized particles which, when applied to plants or plant parts such as buds, form a non-hydrophilic deposit or film with low thermal conductivity, thereby conferring protection against damage from ice nucleation and cold stress.

A system, device and method for delivering CO2 or other gases to plants in fields, orchards, vineyards and the like. A stake with a windbreak structure and gaseous emitters on the upwind side creates a leeward wind eddy surrounding a plant, such as an orchards sapling. This establishes and maintains a gaseous microclimate beneficial to the plant. The device delivers CO.sub.2 gas to a plant in an agricultural field, orchard, grove, orchard of the like. The device includes an elongated base adapted to be adjustably placed on the ground a predetermined distance from the plant, upwind of the plant. A wind foil is adjustably connected to the base along its elongated length. The wind foil has a curvilinear geometry with a first face having a generally convex configuration, and a second face having a generally concave configuration. An emitter assembly is disposed on the second face of the wind foil. A gas supply conduit is communicatively connected to the emitter and adapted to be connected to a gas supply. A system including multiple devices and a method of making and using the device and system are also disclosed.

A system, device and method for delivering CO2 or other gases to plants in fields, orchards, vineyards and the like. A stake with a windbreak structure and gaseous emitters on the upwind side creates a leeward wind eddy surrounding a plant, such as an orchards sapling. This establishes and maintains a gaseous microclimate beneficial to the plant. The device delivers CO.sub.2 gas to a plant in an agricultural field, orchard, grove, orchard of the like. The device includes an elongated base adapted to be adjustably placed on the ground a predetermined distance from the plant, upwind of the plant. A wind foil is adjustably connected to the base along its elongated length. The wind foil has a curvilinear geometry with a first face having a generally convex configuration, and a second face having a generally concave configuration. An emitter assembly is disposed on the second face of the wind foil. A gas supply conduit is communicatively connected to the emitter and adapted to be connected to a gas supply. A system including multiple devices and a method of making and using the device and system are also disclosed.

A thermal plant treatment (TPT) machine is configured to apply heated air to crops to induce commercially beneficial effects in the target plants. The TPT machine includes a thermal assembly with interchangeable vents for applying the heat treatment. The thermal assembly includes a heater duct, blowers mounted on the heater duct, a heater supported by the blowers, and a vent assembly mounted to the heater duct. The blower is configured to generate and provide an airstream to the heater duct. The heater is configured to increase a temperature of the heater duct at a location downstream of the blower to generate a heated airstream. The vent assembly is configured to receive the heated airstream from the heater duct and eject the heated airstream onto a target. The vent assembly includes interchangeable vents configured to alter the flow of the airstream exiting the vent assembly.

A thermal plant treatment (TPT) machine is configured to apply heated air to crops to induce commercially beneficial effects in the target plants. The TPT machine includes a thermal assembly with interchangeable vents for applying the heat treatment. The thermal assembly includes a heater duct, blowers mounted on the heater duct, a heater supported by the blowers, and a vent assembly mounted to the heater duct. The blower is configured to generate and provide an airstream to the heater duct. The heater is configured to increase a temperature of the heater duct at a location downstream of the blower to generate a heated airstream. The vent assembly is configured to receive the heated airstream from the heater duct and eject the heated airstream onto a target. The vent assembly includes interchangeable vents configured to alter the flow of the airstream exiting the vent assembly.

A thermal fogger includes an air-supply system and a chemical injector. The air-supply system includes an air chamber, a pre-heater configured to heat air in the air chamber, and a blower in fluid communication with the air chamber and configured to blow a flow of heated air through an outlet of the air chamber. The chemical injector is coupled to the outlet of the air chamber and is configured to inject a liquid chemical into the flow of heated air to produce an air-chemical mixture.

A thermal fogger includes an air-supply system and a chemical injector. The air-supply system includes an air chamber, a pre-heater configured to heat air in the air chamber, and a blower in fluid communication with the air chamber and configured to blow a flow of heated air through an outlet of the air chamber. The chemical injector is coupled to the outlet of the air chamber and is configured to inject a liquid chemical into the flow of heated air to produce an air-chemical mixture.