Abstract: A method of generating home repair estimate reports from subjective home or other building inspection reports may be provided. Such a method may allow preliminary high-level estimation of building repair costs, and may require uploading the inspection report and building and location data, generating a calibration model and location indexing information, extrapolating the sectional deficiencies identified in the inspection report, mapping the deficiencies to the building model, and applying the indexing information.

Abstract: A system is provided for reducing noise produced by a falling liquid column in a discharge line connected to a sump pump through a flapper valve, when the flapper valve is moved from an open position to a closed position. The system includes a closed-end tube in fluid communication with the flapper valve and the discharge line to receive a portion of the residual head of liquid in the discharge line upon closing of the flapper valve when the pump is turned off.

Abstract: A control system for a sump pump driven by an AC motor includes an AC power line having an input adapted for connection to an AC power source and an output adapted for connection to the AC drive motor. A controller is connected to a controllable switch in the AC power line, to control the opening and closing of that switch. Redundant float switches are coupled to the controller and adapted to be mounted in a sump to supply the controller with a signals when the liquid in the sump rises to a selected level. A timer in, or coupled to, the controller alters the control signal to open the controllable switch if the liquid level in the sump remains above the selected level for a preselected time period.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the present capacity of a rechargeable battery by connecting a known test load to the battery so that the battery supplies the test load with electrical current; monitoring the battery voltage while the battery is connected to the test load; monitoring the current supplied to the test load by the battery, and determining the ampere-hours of energy delivered by the battery while it is connected to test load; and determining when the acceleration of the monitored battery voltage changes from negative to positive, and then projecting the ampere-hours of energy that would be delivered by the battery for the remainder of the range of useful output voltages from the battery. The total present capacity of the battery is preferably determined by summing the projected ampere-hours and the ampere-hours actually delivered by the battery to the test load prior to said projection.