Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting and monitoring micro-volumetric enthalpic changes caused by molecular reactions. Micro-machining techniques are used to create very small thermally isolated masses incorporating temperature-sensitive circuitry. The thermally isolated masses are provided with a molecular layer or coating, and the temperature-sensitive circuitry provides an indication when the molecules of the coating are involved in an enthalpic reaction. The thermally isolated masses may be provided singly or in arrays and, in the latter case, the molecular coatings may differ to provide qualitative and/or quantitative assays of a substance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pulse-transmission low-power communication modes are disclosed. A method of pulse transmission communications includes: generating a modulated pulse signal waveform; transforming said modulated pulse signal waveform into at least one higher-order derivative waveform; and transmitting said at least one higher-order derivative waveform as an emitted pulse. The systems and methods significantly reduce lower-frequency emissions from pulse transmission spread-spectrum communication modes, which reduces potentially harmful interference to existing radio frequency services and users and also simultaneously permit transmission of multiple data bits by utilizing specific pulse shapes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pulse-transmission low-power communication modes are disclosed. A method of pulse transmission communications includes: generating a modulated pulse signal waveform; transforming said modulated pulse signal waveform into at least one higher-order derivative waveform; and transmitting said at least one higher-order derivative waveform as an emitted pulse. The systems and methods significantly reduce lower-frequency emissions from pulse transmission spread-spectrum communication modes, which reduces potentially harmful interference to existing radio frequency services and users and also simultaneously permit transmission of multiple data bits by utilizing specific pulse shapes.

Abstract: A fully integrated wireless spread-spectrum sensor incorporating all elements of an “intelligent” sensor on a single circuit chip is capable of telemetering data to a receiver. Synchronous control of all elements of the chip provides low-cost, low-noise, and highly robust data transmission, in turn enabling the use of low-cost monolithic receivers.

Abstract: A detector detects a flow abnormality in a plant compressor which outputs a motor current signal. The detector includes a demodulator/lowpass filter demodulating and filtering the motor current signal producing a demodulated signal, and first, second, third and fourth bandpass filters connected to the demodulator/lowpass filter, and filtering the demodulated signal in accordance with first, second, third and fourth bandpass frequencies generating first, second, third and fourth filtered signals having first, second, third and fourth amplitudes.

Abstract: Machine operating conditions can be monitored by analyzing, in either the time or frequency domain, the spectral components of the motor current. Changes in the electric background noise, induced by mechanical variations in the machine, are correlated to changes in the operating parameters of the machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that dispenses a lowermost cup from a stack of nested cups. The cups are disposed within an opening formed through an annular housing, and a group of cam assemblies project inward from the housing to support and selectively dispense the cups. Alignment holes are formed through the housing and the cam assemblies to facilitate proper alignment of the cam assemblies relative to one another during assembly of the dispenser. The cam assemblies move inward and outward relative to the opening to accommodate cups of different under-rim diameters within a given range. In particular, the cam assemblies move in an arc and pivot relative to the housing and thereby remain satisfactorily aligned relative to the center of the opening over a wider range of under-rim cup diameters.

Abstract: A motor current analysis method for the remote, noninvasive inspection of electric motor-operated systems. Synchronous amplitude demodulation and phase demodulation circuits are used singly and in combination along with a frequency analyzer to produce improved spectral analysis of load-induced frequencies present in the electric current flowing in a motor-driven system.

Abstract: Several forms of a novel amplitude-modulated (AM) signal format are disclosed. Circuits of several types for generating the desired special vestigial-sideband (SVSB) AM waveforms are discussed. The principal form of the SVSB modulation provides for a reduction in transmitted signal bandwidth compared with standard double-sideband techniques plus very linear amplitude characteristics with simple synchronous detectors. Circuits according to the invention may also include means for dynamically varying signal bandwidth to accommodate special applications.

Abstract: A frequency control system is provided which makes an initial correction of the frequency (f.sub.CLK) of its own timing circuit (50, 52, 54, 56) after comparison against a frequency (f.sub.REF) of known accuracy and then sequentially checks and corrects the frequencies of several voltage (13a . . . 13e) controlled local oscillator circuits (12a . . . 12e). The timing circuit initiates the machine cycles of a central processing unit (30) which, over a sampling interval having a duration of a fixed number of machine cycles, applies a frequency index (FI) to an input register (22) in a modulo-sum frequency divider stage (20) and enables a multiplexer (16) to clock an accumulator register (26) in the divider stage (20) with a cyclical signal derived from the oscillator circuit being checked.

Abstract: Several circuit detectors and noise reduction networks with circuit detectors are disclosed. Detectors and networks according to the invention generally include a discharge diode placed within a feedback loop of an operational amplifier so that the hold time of the system is unaffected by the detector level. Circuits according to the invention may also include a conductor to provide a dynamically controlled charge and/or discharge path in combination with an active signal amplifying device.