Abstract: Shared-current electronic systems (120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, and 220) include two or more electronic devices, such as an electronic device (Q1), a baseband processor (110), and a multiplier/up-converter (112), that are connected in dc series or dc series-parallel, that may be connected in rf series, and that either fixedly or variably share portions of a dc source voltage. Various embodiments produce separate rf outputs, variably shift the phase of a single rf output, variably shift rf power between/among rf outputs, or produce a frequency-compressed modulation. The apparatus includes means (122, 162, 162A, and/or 162B) for precisely proportioning the regulated dc source voltage to one or more of the dc series-connected electronic devices irrespective of production variations in operating parameters of the electronic devices and/or drift of the electronic devices.

Abstract: A trailer (50) is attachable to a pulling vehicle (22). Attachment to the pulling vehicle (22) provides steering rigidity around a vertical axis (32), permits pivotal freedom around a horizontal transverse axis (30), and optionally permits pivotal freedom around a longitudinal axis (34). A wheel (14), which preferably is steerable, at least partially supports the trailer (50). In a preferred embodiment, a body of the trailer (50) is a clamshell body (52) that is disposed vertically and transversely for traveling, and that includes clamshell portions (54A and 54B). Optionally, the clamshell body (52) is positioned horizontally, the clamshell portions (54A and 54B) are separated, and a tent (74) is erected above one of the clamshell portions (54A or 54B).

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for enhancing the earth's dc magnetic field (14) and/or for restoring the earth's dc magnetic field (14), when the earth's dc magnetic field (14) has been degraded by steel construction, or has been degraded by either an extra-low-frequency or an rf magnetic field (96), in a living space (144). Magnetic-field enhancing/restoring apparatus includes beds (120), mattresses (314), bassinets (428), other seating furniture (370), office furniture (414), rooms (186), buildings (222), child-restraint seating (560), and vehicles (712). Apparatus and method also are provided for enhancing the earth's dc magnetic field in a body member (608) by use of body-worn apparatus (596). Magnetic-field enhancers/restorers include magnetic-field-enhancing coils (226) and magnetized sheets or pads (514).

Abstract: Shared-current electronic systems (120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, and 200) include two or more solid-state electronic devices, such as a solid-state amplifying device (Q1), a baseband processor (110), and a multiplier/up-converter (112), that are connected in dc series or dc series-parallel, that may be connected in rf series, and that either fixedly or variably share percentages of a dc source voltage. Various embodiments produce separate rf outputs, variably shift the phase of a single rf output, variably shift rf power between/among rf outputs, or produce a frequency-compressed modulation. The apparatus includes means (122, 162, 162A, and /or 162B) for precisely proportioning percentages of the regulated dc source voltage to the dc series-connected electronic devices irrespective of production variations in operating parameters of the electronic devices and/or drift of the electronic devices.

Abstract: Divided-voltage FET amplifiers (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 200, or 220) include two or more solid-state current devices, preferably gallium arsenide FETs (Q1, Q2, Q4, Q5, Q6, and/or Q8), connected in series or series-parallel for dc operation, and connected in parallel for rf operation, thereby improving power efficiency by using the same current two or more times to develop rf power. Various ones of the embodiments produce separate rf outputs, separately amplify two rf outputs and subsequently combine them into a single rf output, and/or selectively phase shift rf outputs. Isolation between rf frequencies and dc voltages includes using decoupling capacitors with selected resonant frequencies and low effective series resistances (ESRs) and using inductors with selected self-resonant frequencies for rf chokes.

Abstract: Shared-current electronic systems (10, 20, 26, 30, 38, 48, 66, 70, 82, 90, 96, 100, 104, 108, 118, and 122) include two or more solid-state electronic devices, such as a solid-state amplifying device Q1, a baseband processor 110, and a multiplier/upconverter 112, that are connected in dc series or dc series-parallel, and that either fixedly or variably share percentages of a dc supply voltage. Various embodiments produce separate rf outputs, variably shift the phase of a single rf output, variably shift rf power between/among rf outputs, or produce a frequency-compressed modulation. RF decoupling of the dc series-connected electronic devices comprises making an effective series resistance (ESR) of an rf decoupling capacitance lower than the ESR of a porcelain capacitor that resonates at the operating frequency of the electronic device that is being decoupled.

Abstract: Phase-locked oscillators (74, 152, 172, or 196) include both a digital integrator (82 or 146) and a digital lead compensator (84, 148, or 180), and use either analog (108) or digital (184) summation of integration and lead-compensation signals to provide a lead-compensated digital integrator (86, 150, or 182). Preferably, integration and/or lead compensation includes decoding UP and DOWN signals into plus one, minus one, and/or zero signals. The phase-locked oscillators (74, 152, 172, or 196) may include one or more nonlinear digital-to-analog converters (282, 292, 310, 340, or 370) for digital-to-analog converting the digital phase-locking information and the digital lead-compensation information.

Abstract: Magnetic-field-augmented beds (10, 246, 258, 366, 406, 408, 424, 426), mattresses (330, 352), seating furniture (488), desks (542, 574), carrells (278), railings (514) rooms (168, 202, 216A, 216B), and buildings (156, 164, 192, 230, 472) include magnetic-field augmenters (14, 36, 46, 56, 120, 154, 162, 172, 198, 210, 224A, 224B, 234, 250, 262, 282, 304, 334, 360, 380, 386, 412, 430, 466, 476, 492, 524, 550) that, when connected to a source (70) of electrical power, provide a healthful magnetic field for entire bodies of human beings or other living things in living spaces (31, 182, 300, 507, 531, 549, 591). In another embodiment, a magnetic-field augmenter (444) is hung on a wall (446), and in another embodiment, a magnetic-field augmenter (456) is arranged on a floor (458) around seating furniture (462).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for use in enticing baby pigs (42) to rest and sleep at a safe distance from a sow (38) includes an elongated partition (12) with first and second elongated cuddle surfaces (16) that are disposed on opposite sides of the partition (12), first and second pig blankets (18) with first and second comfort surfaces (44). A base mat (20) that extends under the partition (12) and both pig mats (18), cooperates with cuddle walls (14) of the partition (12) to enclose a space (26) that extends below both pig mats (18) and their comfort surfaces (44), and between the cuddle walls (14) and their cuddle surfaces (16). One or more radiant panel heaters (46 or 52) having constant watt density per square meter are disposed in the enclosed space (26), being kept in a generally planar shape, or being curved to generally conform to the combined shape of the comfort (44) and cuddle (16) surfaces.