Abstract: A near-field energy conversion structure and method of assembling the same, utilizing a sub-micrometer “near field” gap between juxtaposed photocell infrared radiation receiver and heat emitter surfaces, wherein compliant membrane structures, preferably fluid-filled, are interposed in the structure.

Abstract: An air-cooled light reflector apparatus for high intensity light sources typically used in indoor horticultural and agriculture applications. The reflector apparatus includes an internal reflector fixed to a curved assembly of hinged extruded sections, a unique adjustable light source mounting fixture bracket, a double-paned insulating glass window and an insulating cover enclosing the apparatus. Forced air is provided to the apparatus for cooling the light source, while the heated air is ducted externally to minimize any rise in ambient air temperature. The double-paned insulating glass and enclosing insulating cover further minimize rise in ambient air temperature. The curvature of the internal reflector provides optimal photometric characteristics.

Abstract: A portable friction forge welder that applies a direct rotational load to workpieces via a rotational actuator and a direct axial load to workpieces via an axial actuator, where the rotational actuator and the axial actuator have separate and independent power sources. The portable friction forge welder relies on a stored energy linear axial actuator or a center-hole hydraulic axial actuator to achieve high axial forces and a high torque, low rotational velocity to achieve rotational forces, enabling the welder to achieve higher quality welds using larger diameter workpieces than conventional portable friction welders. By applying a high axial force between workpieces prior to high torque rotation of the workpieces results in improved quality welds. A unique clamping device maintains a fixed positional relationship between the workpieces and includes a unique shroud that enables friction welds under a positive pressure inert atmosphere.

Abstract: An automated system and method for reviewing and assessing compliance with legal compliance requirements for loan applications. Loan application data is extracted from client loan origination systems and transmitted as a loan information file over a secure communication network to an automated compliance assessment system server where the loan information file is audited for compliance with Federal, state, and local legal compliance requirements. The loan information file is reviewed for legal compliance requirements imposed by Federal, State, and local jurisdictions, as well as licensing requirements that the client loan company and related personnel must satisfy. The results of the audit process are transmitted over a secure communication network to the client loan company, with areas of noncompliance indicated.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer software means for determining physical characteristics of an unrestrained animal by enabling a user to interact with one or more images of the unrestrained animal on a graphical user interface connected to a computer. Using the graphical user interface, the user is able to designate piecewise linear and circumferential measurements of selected animal features on the one or more images. The computer software program receives one or more selected images of an unrestrained animal, displays the one or more images on the graphical user interface, receives a user designated animal type and calibration measurements of animal size indicia, receives user selected measurements of animal physical characteristic from the one or more images and adjusts the measurements based on the calibration measurements of animal physical size, and displays the selected images, adjusted and computed measurements and estimated measurement error on the graphical user interface.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and method for auditing loan compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. The invention comprises allowing a user to display and enter loan audit compliance data and to interactively build a set of loan compliance rules. The loan compliance rules are built for all loan licenses available within a locality. The applicable licenses are then associated with a loan originator to form a list of applicable licenses for the loan originator. In response to a loan audit request, the system identifies the loan type and the loan originator, retrieves the applicable license for the loan type and the loan originator and then retrieves the loan compliance rules associated with the applicable licenses. The system compares the loan compliance rules to the loan data to determine loan audit compliance.

Abstract: A system and method for defining a schema and sending a query to a similarity search engine to determine a quantitative assessment of the similarity of attributes between an anchor record and one or more target records. The similarity search engine makes a similarity assessment in a single pass through the target records having multiple relationship characteristics. The similarity search engine is a server configuration that communicates with one or more database management systems for providing data persistence, data retrieval and access to user defined functions. The architecture enables search activities to be segmented among multiple remote database management systems for reducing the time required to perform searches. Implementation provisions include a method by which a secure transport driver may be configured for a datasource and a method by which configuration files may be persisted to either filesystem storage or a relational database.

Abstract: The invention provides a classification engine for classifying documents that makes use of functions included in a similarity search engine. The classification engine executes a classify command from a client that makes use of similarity search results, and rules files, classes files, and a classification profile embedded in the classification command. When the classification receives a classify command from a client, it retrieves a classification profile and input documents to be classified, sends extracted values from the input documents based on anchor values to a XML transformation engine to obtain a search schema, requests a similarity search by a search manager to determine the similarity between input documents and anchor values, and classifies the input documents according to the rules files, classes files, and the classification profile. The client is then notified that the classify command has been completed and the classification results are stored in a database.

Abstract: The invention provides a classification engine for classifying documents that makes use of functions included in a similarity search engine. The classification engine executes a classify command from a client that makes use of similarity search results, and rules files, classes files, and a classification profile embedded in the classification command. When the classification receives a classify command from a client, it retrieves a classification profile and input documents to be classified, sends extracted values from the input documents based on anchor values to a XML transformation engine to obtain a search schema, requests a similarity search by a search manager to determine the similarity between input documents and anchor values, and classifies the input documents according to the rules files, classes files, and the classification profile. The client is then notified that the classify command has been completed and the classification results are stored in a database.

Abstract: The system and method provides means for detecting fiber optic cable embedded within a structure such as a wall of a building. It relies upon detecting an electrical field generated by movement of static and induced electrical charged fiber optic cable contained within the building wall. The invention is particularly useful when only one side of a wall structure is accessible and there is no access to the fiber optic cable. The process comprises the steps of locating wall studs, making a small hole in the wall material between the wall studs at approximately mid height, inserting a field emitter in the small hole for generating an electrical charge on a fiber cable, inserting an air nozzle in the small hole to create fiber cable movement, and detecting an electric field generated by the movement of an electrically charged fiber cable.

Abstract: The system and method provides a means for inspecting pipelines that have obstructions which prevent conventional inspection pigs from passing the obstructions. The invention uses remote-field eddy current inspection techniques and a uniquely configured excitation coil for inline inspection of pipelines having valves and other fittings that severely restrict or prevent the use of conventional inspection pigs. A unique collapsible excitation coil and a collapsible sensor array enables an inspection pig using these features to pass pipeline obstructions that prevent passage by conventional inspection pigs. The collapsible coil and sensor array provide means for reducing the diameter of an inspection pig to enable it to pass obstructions in the pipeline.

Abstract: A methodology and an apparatus for the detection of biological substances employing the integration of multiple functions and units designed into and implemented in the form of an individual silicon chip, described as a sensor unit. The deployment of a set of sensor units as a group results in a distributed detecting, discriminating, and alerting network. Distribution of the sensor units facilitates the on-the-spot detection of different biological substances such as viruses, bacteria, spores, allergens, and other toxins that can be suspended in multiple media (air, liquid, blood, etc.). Besides detection/sensing, the individual sensor units perform: data acquisition, data development, data storage, statistical analysis, and data transmission.

Abstract: A personal financial management system, method and program that models past current and projected financial transaction data. Each object represents a single financial entity such as accounts, loans, assets or expenses, or a financial activity such as account transfers, deposits or withdrawals. A graphical user interface enables the user to create objects and place the objects on a graphical time line simulating financial activity from all selected objects over a selected time span. The graphical user interface also allows manipulation of the graphical objects and enables future projection of planned financial transactions. The planned financial activity is tightly bound to past and current spending and budgeting, enabling the user to match current activities to planned activities, and to identify and correct discrepancies and shortfalls in projected activities. A to-do list provides the user with reminders of planned actions to be conducted.

Abstract: A method and system for performing in-line measurement of stresses in pipeline walls by continuous Barkhausen method comprises an inspection pig including permanent or DC electromagnets for generating a magnetic field that moves with the inspection pig through a pipeline, inductive or other types of magnetic field sensors for reading Barkhausen noise signals generated by the moving magnetic field, and associated instrumentation for amplifying, filtering, detecting and storing the Barkhausen noise signals. The size of the sensors may be selected to match the size of defects being investigated. By comparing trending data over time to determine changes in Barkhausen noise levels, greater detection sensitivity may be achieved. The method may be particularly advantageous for use in inspection pigs that also use magnetic flux leakage to determine pipeline defects, since the magnetic flux leakage method also use permanent or DC electromagnets.

Abstract: The invention is a liquid volume-flow meter suitable for measuring extremely turbulent flow. The meter comprises a measuring chamber formed as a pipe having a wall of transparent material fitted inline with an existing pipe of similar diameter, whereby the detector has minimal effect upon the operation of an existing installation. The meter further comprises an optical velocity array for measuring the speed of liquid flowing within the measuring chamber and an optical area sensor for measuring the area within the measuring chamber occupied by liquid flowing. The optical area sensor comprises a plurality of arrays including a backscatter reflection array to estimate the height of liquid within the measuring chamber and at least one further correction array to correct the estimation made by the reflection array. Each array comprises an optical emitter and an optical detector that operate through the transparent wall of the measuring chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and device for inspecting heat exchanger tubes from within the tube inside diameter that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art. It adapts a guided-wave probe approach that makes use of a torsional wave mode instead of a longitudinal wave node disclosed in the prior art. The torsional wave mode has many advantages over the longitudinal wave mode for detecting defects. When energized by suitable instrumentation, the probe is caused to generate a torsional mode signal that is transmitted to the heat exchanger tube from the waveguide tube. When reflected signals from defects in the heat exchanger tube walls are returned to the inspection opening end of the heat exchanger tube, the reflected defect signals are transmitted to the probe waveguide tube for amplification, detection and characterization of the reflected signal.