Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods to seal a container are provided. An apparatus for securing a film to a container includes a body portion to house film and a sealing portion. The sealing portion includes a loading zone to receive a portion of film from the body portion and an aperture to receive a top portion of the container and the portion of the film therethrough to enable positioning within a sealing volume. A plurality of near-infrared light emitting diodes (NIR LEDs) face toward and at least partially surround the top portion of the container when positioned within the sealing volume. A controller is configured to receive sensor input from a sensor indicating that the top portion of the container is within the sealing volume and cause, in response thereto, activation of the plurality of NIR LEDs to secure the portion of the film to the top portion of the container.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and apparatus adapted to control a temperature of a process fluid in an instrument. In one aspect, the systems and apparatus are adapted to control fluid temperature provided to a feed tank. The feed tank may feed a metering system and metering line of an instrument such as a clinical analyzer. The fluid temperature control system includes a process fluid inflow, a process fluid outflow, a first fluid path fluidly coupled to the process fluid inflow and outflow, and at least one heat exchanger thermally coupled to the first fluid path, wherein the heat exchanger is adapted to extract heat for at least one heat-generating component of the instrument. Controlling a temperature of the process fluid at the feed tank improves metering accuracy. Methods of operating the system are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and apparatus adapted to control a temperature of a process fluid in an instrument. In one aspect, the systems and apparatus are adapted to control fluid temperature provided to a feed tank. The feed tank may feed a metering system and metering line of an instrument such as a clinical analyzer. The fluid temperature control system includes a process fluid inflow, a process fluid outflow, a first fluid path fluidly coupled to the process fluid inflow and outflow, and at least one heat exchanger thermally coupled to the first fluid path, wherein the heat exchanger is adapted to extract heat for at least one heat-generating component of the instrument. Controlling a temperature of the process fluid at the feed tank improves metering accuracy. Methods of operating the system are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: An amplifier includes a main amplifier circuit and at least one auxiliary amplifier circuit. Portions of an RF signal to be amplified are delivered to the main and auxiliary amplifiers. The auxiliary amplifier circuit is selectively operable to operate in combination with the main amplifier circuit, such as based on the level of the RF signal. At least one hybrid coupler circuit has input ports coupled with outputs of the main amplifier circuit and auxiliary amplifier circuit. The hybrid coupler circuit is operable to combine amplifier circuit output signals at a coupler first output port. A coupler second output port is terminated with one of an electrical short and an electrical open circuit.

Abstract: An amplifier includes a main amplifier circuit and at least one auxiliary amplifier circuit. Portions of an RF signal to be amplified are delivered to the main and auxiliary amplifiers. The auxiliary amplifier circuit is selectively operable to operate in combination with the main amplifier circuit, such as based on the level of the RF signal. At least one hybrid coupler circuit has input ports coupled with outputs of the main amplifier circuit and auxiliary amplifier circuit. The hybrid coupler circuit is operable to combine amplifier circuit output signals at a coupler first output port. A coupler second output port is terminated with one of an electrical short and an electrical open circuit.

Abstract: A multiple input/output switch includes a plurality of transmission control logic units and a plurality of reception control logic units. Each of the transmission control logic units is associated with a transmission data path, and each of the reception control logic units is associated with a reception data path. Each transmission control logic unit outputs a destination code on a communication medium when the transmission control logic unit receives data. The destination code identifies a reception data path to which the data is to be sent. The reception control logic units monitor the communication medium for their respective destination codes, and when detected, send a confirmation signal to the transmission control logic unit via the communication medium. Upon receipt of the confirmation signal, the transmission control logic unit outputs the received data to the reception control logic unit via the communication medium.

Abstract: A wireless communications technique enables direct call set up and communication between wireless subscribers without involving network infrastructure. A mobile is modified to perform like a network base station during a local calling mode initiated by a user, thereby reversing transmit and receive frequency bands and allowing the mobile to set up and carry out a call as if it were a network base station. The mobile initially performs a communication channel or frequency sweep sequence to determine an idle traffic channel, thereby preventing interference with other subscribers. After a local call is established, the transceiver monitors call quality, and performs another communication channel or frequency sweep sequence to select a new traffic channel when call quality drops below a threshold level to ensure a certain level of call quality between the first and second mobiles.

Abstract: A wireless communication system or method capable of providing both a two-way telephone service and a two-way paging service on the same infrastructure. The system or method is capable of distinguishing whether a subscriber is a telephone or paging subscriber. If the subscriber is a two-way paging subscriber, the system or method allows the calling party to have the capability of conversing directly with the called party for a limited time or the options of leaving voice, numeric or alphanumeric messages for the called party to retrieve later.

Abstract: The invention provides conductive concrete suitable for commercial and large-scale production. The conductive concrete uses carbonaceous particles as conductive phase, to achieve concrete with resistivities as low as 2 &OHgr;cm and compressive strengths over 30 Mpa (both measured at 28 days).

Abstract: An improved driver's safety restraint utilizes an upwardly open channel formed on the forehead portion of the driver's helmet a strap insertable into the channel and slidable longitudinally in the channel to permit free rotation of the driver's head. The ends of the strap are provided with deformable, substantially non-resilient anchoring rings.

Abstract: The invention provides conductive concrete suitable for commercial and large-scale production. The conductive concrete uses carbonaceous particles as conductive phase, to achieve concrete with resistivities as low as 2 &OHgr;cm and compressive strengths over 30 Mpa (both measured at 28 days).

Abstract: A wireless communication system or method capable of providing both a two-way telephone service and a two-way paging service on the same infrastructure. The system or method is capable of distinguishing whether a subscriber is a telephone or paging subscriber. If the subscriber is a two-way paging subscriber, the system or method allows the calling party to have the capability of conversing directly with the called party for a limited time or the options of leaving voice, numeric or alphanumeric messages for the called party to retrieve later.

Abstract: A modularly-partitioned feedforward multicarrier linear RF power amplifier is described. The circuitry and components of the power amplifier are segregated into physically-separate modules in accordance with several criteria. In one embodiment, the power amplifier is segregated into a RF power module, a linearizer module and a DC power supply module. The RF power module includes power- and frequency-dependent components and generally varies with the carrier frequency and output power requirements for a specific application. The linearizer module includes circuitry and components that are substantially power- and frequency-independent. As such, the linearizer module is substantially invariant and a single design may be used for virtually any application. The DC power supply module includes circuit and components that are substantially frequency independent but somewhat power dependent.

Abstract: A multicarrier linear RF power amplifier incorporating an improved signal splitter and an improved signal combiner is disclosed. The amplifier comprises a plurality of wedge-shaped amplifier modules. When such modules are radially disposed and abutted against one another, the inwardly facing edges of the modules collectively define a central or axially-located opening. An improved signal splitter, signal combiner, or dual splitter/combiner is advantageously disposed in the axially-located opening. The signal splitter or signal combiner is a conductor arrangement comprising a plurality of equal length conductors radially disposed on a dielectric substrate. The conductor arrangement is advantageously disposed within a suitably-configured housing. The housing is disposed within the axially-located opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved cellular communications system which reduces the dynamic range of a received multicarrier signal. The cellular communications system includes at least one cell site. A base station cooperating with an antenna is positioned within the cell site and is configured to communicate with at least one wireless terminal. A receiver is positioned within the base station for receiving multicarrier signals. Within the receiver is positioned a dynamic range-reducing multicarrier signal processor which reduces the dynamic range of a received multicarrier signal.

Abstract: The present invention in one embodiment provides a distortion creation and reduction circuit comprising a distortion circuit, a correction circuit, and a final signal combiner. The distortion circuit receives a first carrier signal and forms a first distorted carrier signal comprised of a first carrier signal and a first distortion signal component. The correction circuit receives a second carrier signal and forms a second distorted carrier signal comprised of a second carrier signal and a second distortion signal component. The first and second distorted carrier signals are formed and combined so that the first and second distortion signal components destructively combine and the first and second carrier signal components constructively combine. The distortion circuit is preferably comprised of a power amplifier. The correction circuit preferably comprises a distortion correction portion, a carrier correction portion, a correction signal combiner, and a correction amplifier.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an improved CDMA receiver for receiving spread-spectrum-modulated signals is provided. In the improved receiver, a multicarrier signal processor is positioned. The multicarrier signal processor includes a controller for analyzing an incoming multicarrier signal. At least one signal modifier communicates with the controller, such that the controller directs signal modifier to attenuate at least one carrier signal which is not spread-spectrum-modulated. More particularly, the present invention provides an apparatus for attenuating carrier signals in a multicarrier signal which includes at least one spread-spectrum-modulated signal and other carrier signals. The apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving a multicarrier signal which includes at least one spread-spectrum-modulated signal and other carrier signals.

Abstract: A rectifier-capacitor power supply has source terminals across which is connected the series combination of a voltage dropping resistor and a transistor circuit comprising (a) an NPN resistor connected in a common emitter configuration and having its collector connected by a load resistor to the voltage dropping resistor, and (b) a PNP transistor connected in a common collector configuration across the series combination of the NPN transistor and its load transistor. A pair of output terminals for a load are connected to opposite ends of that last named series combination. Also connected between those opposite ends is a voltage divider circuit consisting of two resistors in series and having a junction directly connected to the base of the NPN transistor.

Abstract: A radio receiver front end having both feedforward and feedback mechanisms to suppress the amplitude of spurious signals so as to prevent those signals from flooding the dynamic range of the mixer of the front end. An illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises splitting the input signal into a first signal and a second signal, creating a third signal based on the difference of the first signal and a difference signal, mixing down the third signal with a first oscillatory signal, isolating a feedback signal from the mixed down signal, mixing up the feedback signal with a second oscillatory signal and creating the difference signal based on the difference of the second signal and the mixed up signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a fiberglass reinforced grating from preformed bearing bars and cross bars includes an elongated open frame table having a plurality of rollers in side-by-side fashion with their axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the table and supporting a set of upwardly upright transversely spaced bearing bars on the peripheries of the rollers. A loading rack formed of vertically upright transversely spaced spacing and alignment pins controls the lateral spacing of the bearing bars. A raisable stop upstream of a grooving station aligns the ends of the bearing bars. A vertically shiftable hold press hold down bar operates alternately with a vertically shiftable car press hold down bar and the car press is incremented which frictionally presses the bearing bars against the tabletop rollers to increment the set of bearing bars upon release of the hold press hold down bar.