Abstract: There is provided an electrically-powered material-transport vehicle having a vehicle-charging contact on one side of the vehicle, and a second vehicle-charging contact on the opposite side of the vehicle. The vehicle has a load-bearing cap that covers the top of the vehicle, and a cap elevator for raising and lowering the cap. The cap can be raised and lowered to a transit position, a payload-engagement position, a charging position, and a maintenance position. In the transit position and payload-engagement position, the cap covers the vehicle-charging contacts so that they are not exposed. In the charging position, the cap is raised so that the vehicle-charging contacts are exposed. The vehicle can enter a charging-dock with the cap in the charging position in order to recharge the vehicle's battery.

Abstract: Oscillating angularly rotating a container containing a material may cause the material to be separate. Denser or heavier material may unexpectedly tend to collected relatively close to the axis of rotation, while less dense or light material may tend to collect relatively away from the axis of rotation. Oscillation along an arcuate path provides high lysing efficiency. Alternatively, a micromotor may drive an impeller removably received in a container. Lysing may be implemented in batch mode, flow-through stop or semi-batch mode, or flow-through continuous mode. Lysing particulate material may exceed material to be lysed or lysed material and/or air may be essentially eliminated from a chamber to increase lysing efficiency.

Abstract: A delivery system for an implantable medical device includes an outer shaft defining an outer shaft lumen and an inner shaft translatable within the outer shaft lumen, the inner shaft defining a lumen extending through the inner shaft. An actuation mechanism extends through the lumen and includes a coupler, a force translation rod that extends proximally from the coupler and a plurality of push pull rods that extend distally from the coupler and that releasably couple to the implantable medical device. The force translation rod includes a transition in electromagnetic permeability. The delivery system includes an inductive coil disposed relative to the force translation rod and positioned to detect a change in inductance resulting from the transition in electromagnetic permeability passing through the inductive coil.

Abstract: A delivery system for an implantable medical device includes an outer shaft and an inner shaft translatable within the outer shaft. An internally exposed coil is disposed within the inner shaft and is electrically coupled to an externally exposed coil that can be used to inductively transmit a current flowing through the internally exposed coil. An actuation member extends within the inner shaft and includes a coupler, a force translation rod that extends proximally from the coupler and a plurality of push pull rods that extend distally from the coupler and that releasably couple to the implantable medical device. As the force translation rod moves relative to the internally exposed coil, an impedance varies in accordance with relative position.

Abstract: A noise cancellation system comprises a first noise cancellation apparatus configured to process an I-channel signal, wherein an I-channel differential mode second-order intermodulation component and an I-channel common mode second-order intermodulation component cancel each other in the first noise cancellation apparatus and a second noise cancellation apparatus configured to process a Q-channel signal, wherein a Q-channel differential mode second-order intermodulation component and a Q-channel common mode second-order intermodulation component cancel each other in the second noise cancellation apparatus.

Abstract: A noise cancellation system comprises an I-channel mixer configured to receive a radio frequency signal from an antenna and an intermediate frequency signal from a local oscillator, a Q-channel mixer configured to receive the radio frequency signal from the antenna and a phase-shifted intermediate frequency signal from the local oscillator, a first noise cancellation apparatus connected with the I-channel mixer, wherein an I-channel differential mode second-order intermodulation component and an I-channel common mode second-order intermodulation component cancel each other in the first noise cancellation apparatus and a second noise cancellation apparatus connected with the Q-channel mixer, wherein a Q-channel differential mode second-order intermodulation component and a Q-channel common mode second-order intermodulation component cancel each other in the second noise cancellation apparatus.

Abstract: A noise cancellation system comprises an I-channel mixer configured to receive a radio frequency signal from an antenna and an intermediate frequency signal from a local oscillator, a Q-channel mixer configured to receive the radio frequency signal from the antenna and a phase-shifted intermediate frequency signal from the local oscillator, a first noise cancellation apparatus connected with the I-channel mixer, wherein an I-channel differential mode second-order intermodulation component and an I-channel common mode second-order intermodulation component cancel each other in the first noise cancellation apparatus and a second noise cancellation apparatus connected with the Q-channel mixer, wherein a Q-channel differential mode second-order intermodulation component and a Q-channel common mode second-order intermodulation component cancel each other in the second noise cancellation apparatus.

Abstract: A noise cancellation structure comprises a trans-impedance stage couple to an output of a mixer of a receiver and a noise cancellation stage connected in parallel with the trans-impedance stage, wherein the noise cancellation stage comprises a first adjustable resistor and a second adjustable resistor connected in series with the first adjustable resistor, wherein the first adjustable resistor and the second adjustable resistor are configured such that the first adjustable resistor has a first resistance variation portion and the second adjustable resistor has a second resistance variation portion equal to the first resistance variation in an opposite direction and a magnitude of the first resistance variation is so selected that differential mode second-order noise and common mode second-order noise cancel each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing load current of an envelope tracking (ET) modulator enables load impedance of a power amplifier to be measured. Impairments associated with the load impedance characteristic can be suppressed by calibration and predistortion instead of by feedback (as done in the prior art). The ET modulator provides a switching regulator that can be reconfigured as a linear regulator for the purpose of sensing the load current. This allows the ET modulator to be operated open-loop, thereby eliminating the power consumption overhead resulting from utilization of a loop filter and error amplifier (used in the prior art) and achieving a higher overall efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing load current of an envelope tracking (ET) modulator enables load impedance of a power amplifier to be measured. Impairments associated with the load impedance characteristic can be suppressed by calibration and predistortion instead of by feedback (as done in the prior art). The ET modulator provides a switching regulator that can be reconfigured as a linear regulator for the purpose of sensing the load current. This allows the ET modulator to be operated open-loop, thereby eliminating the power consumption overhead resulting from utilization of a loop filter and error amplifier (used in the prior art) and achieving a higher overall efficiency.

Abstract: A noise cancellation structure comprises a trans-impedance stage couple to an output of a mixer of a receiver and a noise cancellation stage connected in parallel with the trans-impedance stage, wherein the noise cancellation stage comprises a first adjustable resistor and a second adjustable resistor connected in series with the first adjustable resistor, wherein the first adjustable resistor and the second adjustable resistor are configured such that the first adjustable resistor has a first resistance variation portion and the second adjustable resistor has a second resistance variation portion equal to the first resistance variation in an opposite direction and a magnitude of the first resistance variation is so selected that differential mode second-order noise and common mode second-order noise cancel each other.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for half folding sequentially and nesting a plurality of paper sheets. The apparatus includes a buckle chute folder, the folder having a first pair of feed rollers rotatable at a given velocity, and a device for continuously feeding the paper sheets in shingled relationship at a second velocity greater than the given velocity to the feed rollers. The shingled relationship is defined by an overlap of the sheets of at least one-half of the length of the sheets. By using the apparatus and method, any desired number of sheets may be folded sequentially and nested one inside the other.

Abstract: A reversible collating machine for stacking sheets of paper being fed seriatim thereto from a singulating feeder in the same or reverse order as the sheets appear in the singulating feeder. The reversible collating machine includes a housing, apparatus secured to the housing for rotatably mounting endless, elastic belts, at least one upper, endless, elastic belt rotatably mounted to the mounting apparatus, and at least one lower, endless, elastic belt rotatably mounted to the mounting apparatus. Each of the belts includes an upper and a lower reach, the lower reach of the upper belt being situated slightly above the upper reach of the lower belt to thereby frictionally engage and transport the sheets of paper. The collating machine further includes a frame slidably mounted to the housing, the frame being movable between an upstream and a downstream position, an upper ramp guide block secured to the frame, and a lower ramp guide block secured to the frame.

Abstract: A collating station is disclosed for a machine intended to insert first and second documents into an envelope. Prior to the insertion operation, the first and second documents are advanced serially in a common plane. At a predetermined location, each first document is intercepted and lifted above the common plane and moved to a holding platform spaced above the common plane. The holding platform has a transverse terminal edge downstream from where the first document comes to rest. Thereupon, the first document resting on the holding platform and a following second document which continues to advance along the common plane as the first document travels toward the holding platform are advanced together in a parallel spaced relationship, toward a downstream station. As the documents are advanced, the first document drops off the terminal edge of the holding platform and onto the second document thereby completing the collating operation.

Abstract: A document collating and inserting system having displays for document count verification. A plurality of bank checks belonging to a check set are fed, counted and stacked at a stacking station while simultaneously an associated statement is fed to an imaging station where a number imprinted thereon is imaged by a video camera and displayed on a video monitor. The number represents a predetermined number which should equal the actual number of checks counted, the actual count also being displayed. An operator makes a visual comparison of the two displayed numbers and, if they are in agreement, initiates a cycle of the system thereby forming a collation of the statement and checks and transporting them to a holding station. From the holding station the collation is inserted within an envelope provided by an envelope feeder during the next cycle of the system. If the two numbers are not in agreement a mismatch switch is provided for the operator to activate before cycling the system.

Abstract: An improved separator assembly for document feeders comprises a retarding roller and a cooperating opposed feed roller. The retarding roller is selectably rotatable into orientations such that the selected one of a plurality of different peripheral portions of the retarding roller will be oriented into operative position with respect to the feed roller. The retarding roller includes at least one cylindrical portion and another portion which has an interfering member projecting outwardly from the roller. Other surfaces of the retarding roller may comprise different materials in order to avoid scratches on the documents to be fed or to change the frictional force on the documents.

Abstract: A bursting machine is provided for separating discrete sheets from a continuous strip of sheets having uniformly spaced perforation lines across the width of the strip. A gauging device with numerical increments in the form of a linear scale is manually compared to the length of the discrete sheets to provide a predetermined number corresponding to a pulse count for entering into a control device through a manually settable device. The control device in turn is operatively connected to an electronic pulse counter. When the leading edge of the strip advances a predetermined increment after passing through a sensing device located downstream in the path of travel with respect to a first pair of feed rollers, a pulse generator attached to the driven first feed roller is actuated to generate pulses for counting to reach the preset number in the pulse counter.

Abstract: An improvement in a collating machine for stacking sheets of paper being fed seriatim thereto from a singulating feeder in the same order as the sheets appear in the singulating feeder. The collating machine includes a belt for transporting the sheets of paper, a ramp for lifting a succeeding sheet of paper over and onto a preceding, stopped sheet of paper, and a stopping device for stopping each sheet of paper after the sheet has been lifted by the ramp. The improvement includes a removable stacking device for stacking the sheets of paper in the reverse order as the sheets appear in the singulating feeder.

Abstract: A document feeding device having a hopper oriented at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane, the hopper having an upstream aperture and a downstream aperture and able to support a pack of documents to be fed therefrom, a device situated at the lower end of the hopper for feeding documents seriatim from the hopper, a first pulley whose outer surface extends slightly through the downstream aperture and a second pulley whose outer surface extends slightly through the upstream aperture, and a double sided timing belt mounted on the first and second pulleys and riding on the upper surface of the hopper.

Abstract: A stopping mechanism in an inserting machine having a feeder for feeding documents seriatim to a transport deck therebelow, the feeder being angled with respect to the deck. The stopping mechanism stops the documents at a predetermined position with respect to a previously collated package situated on a ramp located upstream of the deck and elevated with respect to the deck. The stopping mechanism comprises a pivotable paddle located downstream of the feeder substantially parallel to the direction of feed, a device for biasing the lower end of the paddle away from the transport deck to permit a collated package to pass therebelow without contacting the pivotable paddle, and a device for pivoting the lower end of the paddle downward adjacent the transport deck for a short period of time at an appropriate moment in order to stop the forward motion of a document exiting the feeder at a predetermined position on the transport deck.