Abstract: A security enclosure (20) for a control apparatus (22) is disclosed. The enclosure (20) is formed of a cage (28) connected to a base (30). Opposing mounting straps (36) partially embedded within the base (30) extend inside the cage (28) through strap engagement slots (58). The cage (28) has cage lock holes (72) that align with strap lock holes (70) in the mounting straps (36), and through which a lock device (74) is passed to secure the cage (28) to the mounting straps (36) and the base (30). The shackle (86) of a lock (88) is passed through a hole (82) in a movable lock tab (78) on the lock device (74) and a hole (84) in a fixed lock tab (80) affixed to the cage (28). When the lock (88) is closed, the lock device (74) is secured and the cage (28) cannot be removed from the base (30) without opening the lock (88). The lock (88) and the lock tabs (78,80) are protected by a shroud (90) affixed to the cage (28). End panels (26) and a perforated body panel (24) complete the cage (28).

Abstract: A digital communications transmitter (100) includes a digital linear-and-nonlinear predistortion section (200, 1800, 2800) to compensate for linear and nonlinear distortion introduced by transmitter-analog components (120). A direct-digital-downconversion section (300) generates a complex digital return-data stream (254) from the analog components (120) without introducing quadrature imbalance. A relatively low resolution exhibited by the return-data stream (254) is effectively increased through arithmetic processing. Distortion introduced by an analog-to-digital converter (304) may be compensated using a variety of adaptive techniques. Linear distortion is compensated using adaptive techniques with an equalizer (246) positioned in the forward-data stream (112). Nonlinear distortion is then compensated using adaptive techniques with a plurality of equalizers (226) that filter a plurality of orthogonal, higher-ordered-basis functions (214) generated from the forward-data stream (112).

Abstract: A computer program for strategic planning and optimization allows a user to model an enterprise to visualize an effect of a strategic constraint on a primary goal of the enterprise. The primary goal is represented by a primary objective function which, in turn, depends upon a set of operational variables. The strategic constraint is represented by a constraint function that depends upon a subset of the operational variables. An effective objective function is constructed by combining the primary objective function and the constraint function, and the effective objective function is optimized over a range of target values for the constraint function. An outcome of the primary objective function is determined for each target value, and a graphical view of the outcome for each of the target values is presented. The graphical view provides a visualization of the effect of the strategic constraint on the primary goal for managing the enterprise.

Abstract: A heat exchanger evaluation system (84) includes a refrigeration subsystem (126) and a platform (94) in communication with the subsystem (126) for attachment of a heat exchanger (32). The system, (84) further includes a thermal imaging camera (168) and a monitor (100). A method (180) entails routing a fluid (38) through the heat exchanger (32) via the refrigeration subsystem (126). The camera (168) detects the temperature variation across the heat exchanger (32) as the fluid (38) flows through the heat exchanger, and provides successive thermal images representing the temperature variation responsive to the flow of the fluid (38). The thermal images are utilized to determine an efficacy of the flow through the heat exchanger (32). In particular, a determination can be made as to whether the flow deviates from a pre-determined flow path (79) of the fluid (38) through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for cleaning a surface (22) includes a clean fluid tank (26) containing a cleaning fluid (46) and configured for delivery of the fluid (46) to the surface (22). The clean fluid tank (26) has a first outer surface (76). A waste fluid tank (30) is coupled with the clean fluid tank (26) and has a second outer surface (78). The second surface (78) abuts the first surface (76) to form a conduit (84) between the first and second surfaces (76, 78), the conduit (84) being in fluid communication with the waste fluid tank (30). Vacuum motors (94) and (108), in communication with the conduit (84), operate to vacuum waste fluid (164) and air (116) into the waste fluid tank (30). The air (116) is expelled from the waste fluid tank (30) via the conduit (84).

Abstract: An extensible monitor support system (20) is provided. The system (20) may include a cabinet (24) made up of a horizontal base (28), a back (30), right and left sides (26), a front (32), and a top (34). Within the cabinet (24) is a lift apparatus (40) made up of an extensible support column (42) formed of telescoping outer, intermediate, and inner sections (44,46,48), a base plate (50) coupled to the cabinet base (28) and the column outer section (44), a pair of opposing bayonet sheaths (60) coupled to the column outer section (44), a primary coupling component (62) coupled to the bayonet sheaths (60) and the cabinet back (30), and a monitor support bracket (72) coupled to the column inner section (48) and the monitor (22). The monitor support bracket (72) is configured to maintain a monitor (22) substantially parallel to the cabinet back (30).

Abstract: A hollow walled structure (22) includes a shell (36) having a wall defining an interior compartment (46). A first support, in the form of a baffle (48), is disposed within the interior compartment (46) and engages the shell (36) at two locations (52, 54). A second support, in the form of a post (83), engages the shell (36) and extends through the interior compartment (46) to intersect the baffle (48). The shell (36), baffle (48), and post (83) are formed concurrently from a thermoplastic material by a rotational molding process. The rotational molding process can entail operations of pre-heating interior portions of the mold, delivering heat to the interior portions of the mold, and/or filling the mold with excess thermoplastic material prior to preheating the mold. The rotationally molded structure (22) has sufficient strength to function as a tank for carrying a liquid (34) in a liquid transport apparatus (20).

Abstract: A programmable modem (20) for processing a waveform includes a general purpose processor (GPP) engine (34) and special purpose programmable signal processing engines (22) in communication with the GPP engine (34). Each of the special purpose engines (22) executes a special purpose software program (80) to process a portion of the waveform under one of a plurality of communications standards in response to control signals from the GPP engine (34). A power manager engine (56) is in communication with the GPP engine (34) and the signal processing engines (22). The power manager engine (56) responds to the control signals from the GPP engine (34) to power currently used ones of the special purpose engines (22) and to discontinue power to unused ones of the special purpose engines (22). The programmable modem is implemented on a single CMOS integrated circuit (66).

Abstract: A tube interface (53) includes a first tube (28) and a second tube (34). The first tube (28) has an oblong opening (54) exhibiting a first major dimension (58), and the second tube (34) has an oblong end (52) exhibiting a second major dimension (72). The oblong end (52) of the second tube (34) is inserted into the oblong opening (54) so that the second major dimension (72) is aligned with the first major dimension (58). The second tube (34) is turned in the oblong opening (54) to move the second major dimension (72) out of alignment with the first major dimension (58) of the oblong opening (54) to secure the second tube (34) to the first tube (28) prior to brazing.

Abstract: An easel (20) includes a base (24), a support (28) extending upwardly from the base (24), and first and second arms (38, 40) rotatably attached to the support (28) via a pivot assembly (48). Brackets (54) are positioned on the first and second arms (38, 40) and are slidably moveable relative to a longitudinal axis (58) of the first and second arms (38, 40). The brackets (54) selectively abut edges (68) at each of four corners (70) of a workpiece (22) to retain the workpiece (22). The pivot assembly (48) functions to concurrently rotate the first and second arms (38, 40) and, consequently, the workpiece (22) relative to the support (28).

Abstract: A satellite communications system (10) includes a hub (14), a satellite (32), and any number of remote terminals (16). Each remote terminal (16) includes a remote receiver (38), a monitor (40), and a network access controller (42). Each remote receiver (38) is configured to receive and down convert the system's entire spectrum of interest from which channels are accessed by the remote terminals (16). The monitors (40) independently perform FFT processes over this entire spectrum, but at a low frequency resolution which is no higher than needed to distinguish channels. Based on these spectral analyses, uplink/inbound channels are independently selected by the network access controllers (42) at each remote terminal (16). Remote terminals (16) immediately transmit data to the hub (14) as soon as they select an uplink/inbound channel.

Abstract: A quilting table (20) includes a frame (22) having box channel rails (50, 52), a first carriage (212), moveable relative to a longitudinal dimension (30) of the frame (22), having wheels (224) engaged with the box channel rails (50, 52), and a second carriage (214), moveable relative to a transverse dimension (32) of the frame (22), supporting a sewing machine (34). A fabric support system (24) includes three fabric payout bars (128, 130, 132) and a take-up bar (134). Compressive force is utilized between the bars (128, 130, 132, 134) and their supports (120, 122) for fabric tensioning. The bars have a rectangular cross-sectional shape and indicia (190) for facilitating fabric placement. An overhead shelf (28) extends across dimension (30) of the frame (22) so that an operator on a needle side (51) of the quilting table (20) can currently view a quilting guide (268) and the fabric (206).

Abstract: A system (20) and method for the inspection of a pipeline (22) is disclosed. The system (20) is made up of a plurality of flexibly coupled modular units (24) configured to pass through the pipeline (22). One modular unit (24) is a tractor unit (40) configured to propel the system (20) through the pipeline (22). Another modular unit (24) is an RFT transmission unit (42) with an excitation coil (58) configured to excite a magnetic field (112) within the pipeline (22). A third modular unit (24) is an RFT reception unit (46) incorporating a pair of adjacent differentially connected reception coils (80) and a differential instrumentation amplifier (100) affixed to a rotational mount (78). A fourth modular unit (24) is a motor unit (44) incorporating a motor (66) which rotates the rotational mount (78). The pair of reception coils (80) detects the magnetic field (112) and produces a differential detection signal which is then amplified and analyzed.

Abstract: A system (22) for orienting an object (28) relative to a base (24) to which the object (28) is rotatably coupled includes a braking surface (46) in fixed relation with the base (24). A brake (48) is engaged with the braking surface (46). A linear actuator (82) has a body (86) in fixed attachment with the object (28) via a strap member (84) and a coupling element (80). The linear actuator (82) also includes a rod (88) in fixed communication with the brake (48) through an elongate member (90) that flexes in response to a braking force (66) imposed on the braking surface (46) by the brake (48). The linear actuator is activated to generate linear motion (120) of the rod (88). The linear motion (120) of the rod (88) causes rotational motion (122) of the object (28). The strap member (84) is enabled to flex as the object (28) rotates.

Abstract: A receiver (24) for a condenser system (20) includes a body (32) in fluid communication with a header (28) of the condenser system (20). A first cap (38) is coupled to an end (34) of the body (32) and has a saddle portion (40) coupled to the header (28). The receiver (24) further includes a tube section (42) coupled to a second end (36) of the body. A second cap (50) is removably interconnected with the tube section (42) following insertion of a service cartridge (76) into the body (32). The service cartridge (76) includes a substantially-rigid tubular member (78) having rib members (84) radially extending from an outer surface (86) of the tubular member (78). Covers (90, 92), each having openings (94, 96), are coupled to opposing ends of the tubular member (78). The service cartridge (76) includes multiple features for drying, filtering, and/or leak detection.

Abstract: A fog generating system (20) includes a fluid feed conduit (22) and extension tube assemblies (26) spaced along the conduit (22). The assemblies (26) include nozzle fittings (40) coupled to extension tubes (32). Misting nozzles (44) are releasably engaged with the nozzle fittings (40), and are recessed within the nozzle fittings (40). Installation entails arranging the system (20) on an interior side of an installation form (90), and securing the nozzle fittings (40) using fitting plugs (50) so that an open ends (60) of the nozzle fittings (40) abut the form (90). The fitting plugs (50) further form a fluid resistant seal for maintaining the assemblies (26) under fluid pressure during installation. The system (20) is embedded in a concrete material (124) for the structure (120). Following removal of the installation form (90) and the fitting plugs (50), the misting nozzles (44) are installed within the nozzle fittings (40).

Abstract: A knob assembly (22) for a door (20) includes a spindle (30) and a latch (108) in communication with the spindle (30) and extendable from an edge (132) of the door (20). An inner knob portion (36) is secured to the spindle (30), and an outer knob portion (38) faces the inner knob portion and freely rotates on the spindle (30). A lug (102, 104) projects from a second surface (106) of the outer knob portion (38) for engagement with a notch (58) formed in a first surface 54 of the inner knob portion (36). The outer knob portion (38) is selectively operable to positively engage the lug (102, 104) with the notch (58) for enabling rotation of the spindle (30) in response to rotation of the outer knob portion (38) to move the latch (108) from a normally latched position (110) to an unlatched position (146).