Abstract: A managed access system is for mobile wireless devices (MWDs) in a facility geographically within a wireless communications network of a communications carrier. The system may include at least one RF antenna arranged at the facility and including an RF launch structure, and an elongate electrical conductor having a proximal end extending through the RF launch structure and a distal end spaced apart from the RF launch structure to define an elongate RF coverage pattern. The system may further include radio equipment coupled to the at least one RF antenna, and a management access controller cooperating with the radio equipment to communicate with a given MWD in the elongate RF coverage pattern within the facility, block outside communications via the wireless communications network when the given MWD is an unauthorized MWD, and provide outside communications via the wireless communications network when the given MWD is an authorized MWD.

Abstract: A wireless engine monitoring system for an aircraft engine includes a housing and wireless transceiver that receives engine data, including engine data relating to environmental engine emissions. A processor processes the engine data and generates an alarm report when the environmental engine emissions exceed a threshold.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a new and improved compactor or packer. The compactor, which may be used to compact refuse, includes a container, a track disposed within the container, and a ball screw rotatably disposed within the track. The compactor further includes a ball nut operatively coupled around the ball screw, where rotation of the ball screw causes the ball nut to move along or traverse the ball screw. A packer blade is coupled to the ball nut via a floating interface. Movement of the ball nut long the ball screw due to rotation of the ball screw forces the packer blade to move within the container. The floating interface allows the packer blade to float within the container with respect to the ball nut to reduce the likelihood of binding of the ball nut on the ball screw as the packer blade traverses within the container.

Abstract: A wireless engine monitoring system for an aircraft engine includes a housing and wireless transceiver that receives engine data, including engine data relating to environmental engine emissions. A processor processes the engine data and generates an alarm report when the environmental engine emissions exceed a threshold.

Abstract: A method for predicting hydrocarbon recovery in a subterranean formation may include generating pre-heating data associated with fracturing in a sample from the subterranean formation, determining a first fractal pattern based upon the pre-heating data, and heating the sample with RF power to cause additional fracturing in the sample. The method may include generating post-heating data associated with additional fracturing in the sample after heating with RF power, determining a second fractal pattern based upon the post-heating data, detecting change between the first fractal pattern and the second fractal pattern, and predicting hydrocarbon recovery from the subterranean formation based upon the detected change.

Abstract: A dental imaging system may include an X-ray source, a first optical alignment device, and a dental image collection device. The dental image collection device may include a mouthpiece, at least one electronic X-ray sensor carried by the mouthpiece, and a second optical alignment device carried by the mouthpiece and cooperating with the first optical alignment device to facilitate optically aligning the mouthpiece with the X-ray source. The system may also include a dental image processing device coupled to the at least one electronic X-ray sensor.

Abstract: A portable modular treatment system to be remotely deployed adjacent a solvent extraction bitumen well may include a portable initial separation module configured to receive a liquid emulsion from the solvent extraction bitumen well including bitumen, produced water, solvent, and at least one non-condensable gas, and liberate the at least one non-condensable gas while the solvent remains with the liquid emulsion. The system may further include a portable free water removal module configured to receive the liquid emulsion from the portable initial separation module and separate the bitumen and solvent from the produced water, a portable skimming tank module configured to receive the produced water from the portable free water removal module and remove free oil from the produced water through gravity separation, and a portable condenser module configured to receive the bitumen and solvent from the portable free water removal module and separate the bitumen and solvent.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) communications system may include a local RF communications device and an RF antenna coupled to the local RF communications device. The RF antenna may include a cavity backing housing, a conical RF launch structure having an apex positioned within the cavity backing housing, and an elongate electrical conductor having a proximal end extending through the apex of the conical RF launch structure and a distal end spaced apart from the conical RF launch structure to define an elongate RF coverage pattern. The system may further include at least one remote RF communications device within the elongate RF coverage pattern to wirelessly communicate with the local RF communications device.

Abstract: A wireless PTT communication system may include mobile wireless PTT communications devices, each configured to send a PTT call request, a wireless network coupling the mobile wireless PTT communications devices, and a PTT server. The PTT server may be configured to when a number of the mobile wireless PTT communications devices in a given talkgroup is greater than or equal to a first threshold, then cause each mobile wireless PTT communications device of the given talkgroup to report a respective location. The PTT server may be configured to when a number of the mobile wireless PTT communications devices in the given talkgroup is less than the first threshold, then disable each mobile wireless PTT communications device of the given talkgroup from reporting the respective location.

Abstract: A wireless PTT communication system may include mobile wireless PTT communications devices, each configured to send a PTT call request, a wireless network coupling the mobile wireless PTT communications devices, and a PTT server. The PTT server may be configured to when a number of the mobile wireless PTT communications devices in a given talkgroup is greater than or equal to a first threshold, then cause each mobile wireless PTT communications device of the given talkgroup to report a respective location. The PTT server may be configured to when a number of the mobile wireless PTT communications devices in the given talkgroup is less than the first threshold, then disable each mobile wireless PTT communications device of the given talkgroup from reporting the respective location.

Abstract: A method for making an optical fiber device may include using a three-dimensional (3D) printer to generate a preform body including an optical material. The preform body may have a 3D pattern of voids therein defining a 3D lattice. The method may further include drawing the preform body to form the optical fiber device.

Abstract: A method of making an electronic device may include forming at least one circuit layer that includes solder pads on a substrate and forming at least one liquid crystal polymer (LCP) solder mask having mask openings therein. The method may also include forming at least one thin film resistor on the LCP solder mask and coupling the at least one LCP solder mask to the substrate so that the at least one thin film resistor is coupled to the at least one circuit layer and so that the solder pads are aligned with the mask openings.

Abstract: A wireless PTT communication system may include mobile wireless PTT communications devices, each configured to send a PTT call request, a wireless network coupling the mobile wireless PTT communications devices, and a PTT server. The PTT server may be configured to when a number of the mobile wireless PTT communications devices in a given talkgroup is greater than or equal to a first threshold, then cause each mobile wireless PTT communications device of the given talkgroup to report a respective location. The PTT server may be configured to when a number of the mobile wireless PTT communications devices in the given talkgroup is less than the first threshold, then disable each mobile wireless PTT communications device of the given talkgroup from reporting the respective location.

Abstract: A personal area radar is provided to permit a user to be aware of their surroundings. This may be in 360 degrees or any other suitable coverage area and angle. The personal area radar can show objects to the user through fog, smoke, precipitation, darkness and with full 360 degree field of view capability, significantly improving the user's overall situational awareness. They may also be used to view things that are behind solid objects such as in or behind walls or underground. These systems may be highly integrated phased array radar systems mounted on a helmet. They may use small, high frequency radars able to detect solid objects (and/or semi-solid objects) such as people, improvised explosive devices (IED), or other solid objects. These methods and systems may provide the user with 360 degrees view and awareness of objects regardless of external conditions such as weather, darkness or other obstructions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operations of a computer network (100). The methods involve: generating programming instructions implementing a first mission plan (2100) specifying which identity parameters of packets are to be transformed during specific time periods; executing the programming instructions by at least one node (105) of the computer network to dynamically transform true values, which correctly represent the identity parameters of the packets, into false values which incorrectly represent the identity parameters of the packets; measuring an effectiveness of the computer network's behavior with regard to a recognition and prevention of cyber-attack success resulting from the execution of the programming instructions by the node; and dynamically modifying the first mission plan based on the measured effectiveness.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1400) for operating a Spool Mechanism (“SM”). The methods comprise: transitioning an operational mode of SM from a first operational mode in which a drag torque is not settable to a second operational mode in which the drag torque is settable; selectively mechanically coupling a rewind motor to a spool (612) of SM by engaging a coupler (1014) in response to the SM's transition into the second operational mode; activating the rewind motor (610) such that the rewind motor applies a motor torque having a pre-defined value selected for facilitating a setting of the drag torque to an optimal value; mechanically gradually adjusting an amount of drag resistance applied to the spool by a drag mechanism (1012); and discontinuing the mechanical adjustment of the drag resistance when the spool's speed is within a threshold percentage range of a zero resistance speed.

Abstract: A method for heating materials by application of radio frequency (“RF”) energy is disclosed. For example, the disclosure concerns a method for RF heating of petroleum ore, such as bitumen, oil sands, oil shale, tar sands, or heavy oil. Petroleum ore is mixed with a substance comprising susceptor particles that absorb RF energy. A source is provided which applies RF energy to the mixture of a power and frequency sufficient to heat the susceptor particles. The RF energy is applied for a sufficient time to allow the susceptor particles to heat the mixture to an average temperature greater than about 212° F. (100° C.). Optionally, the susceptor particles can be removed from the mixture after the desired average temperature has been achieved. The susceptor particles may provide for anhydrous processing, and temperatures sufficient for cracking, distillation, or pyrolysis.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) antenna assembly configured to be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery may include an RF transmission line and an RF antenna coupled to the RF transmission line. The RF antenna assembly may also include an adjustable balun that may include a tubular balun housing surrounding the RF transmission line and defining a space therebetween. The adjustable balun may further include an adjustable shorting body slidably movable within the space and contacting the tubular balun housing and the RF transmission line at an adjustable shorting position.

Abstract: A method may include generating a laser light beam, stabilizing the laser light beam using a beam stabilizer, splitting the laser light beam using a first beamsplitter into a first front side laser light beam and a back side laser light beam for a back side of an ion trap, directing the front side laser light beam to a second beamsplitter using an input telescope, and splitting the first front side laser light beam using the second beamsplitter into second front side laser light beams. The method may further include receiving the front side laser light beams at a common acousto-optic medium, generating respective RF drive signals for electrodes coupled to the common acousto-optic medium for each of the second front side laser light beams using RF drivers, and directing the second front side laser light beams to a front side of the ion trap using an output telescope.

Abstract: A communications system may include a first active circuit device and a waveguide coupled to the first active circuit device. The waveguide may include a plurality of passive optical devices spaced apart from one another and arranged along an optical path, and an interconnect structure interconnecting the passive optical devices and integrally formed as a unitary body with the passive optical devices. Furthermore, the interconnect structure may have an opening therethrough aligned with the optical path.