Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed in a data processing system for automatically replicating a first data storage subsystem's configuration data on a second data storage subsystem. Storage subsystems are peripherals of the data processing system and not standalone computer systems. Storage subsystem are inaccessible directly by users. A first data storage subsystem is specified as a parent subsystem. The first data storage subsystem is configured using a first configuration data. A second data storage subsystem is specified that is to be configured the same as the first data storage subsystem. The first or second data storage subsystem automatically initiates a transfer of a copy of the first configuration data from the first data storage subsystem to the second data storage subsystem. The second data storage subsystem configures itself using the copy of the first configuration data such that the second data storage subsystem is configured the same as the first data storage subsystem.

Abstract: A heat exchanger which is adapted to an existing water tank to allow it to be heated or cooled using a hot or cold toxic or non-toxic liquid. Solar collectors and heat pumps can provide hot or cold liquids. To transfer this heat cheaply and economically to an existing hot or cold, water tank requires a simple efficient heat exchange, which can be easily adapted to the existing tank. The invention recited fills this need by simply screwing into the existing hot or cold, water tank and allow heat or cold to be added or extracted via a simple fluid loop, which is single wall isolated for non-toxic heat exchange fluids and double wall isolated for toxic heat exchange fluids.

Abstract: The ‘Cookie Dipper’ is a hand held utensil which may be used by adults or juveniles, to insert onto or into a creme filled cookie followed by, dipping the cookie into a beverage of their choice such as milk, coffee or other beverage. While using the ‘Cookie Dipper’ the user reduces the likihood of having their hands or fingers come into contact with the beverage they are dipping the cookie into.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for workload balancing along multiple communication paths to a plurality of devices. The apparatus includes a controller that accumulates path usage information and a path balancing device that makes use of the accumulated path usage information to perform a path balancing operation. The path balancing method involves the path balancing device calculating the total expected connect time for all I/O messages issued to each of a plurality of peripheral devices during a predefined sampling period. These totals are then added for each communication path for the sampling period to obtain path totals. The path totals are then compared to see if a difference between the highest used path and the lowest used path is greater than a threshold amount. If the difference is higher than the threshold amount, the peripheral device having a total expected connect time that is closest to a target value is moved from the highest used path to the lowest used path.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a gas turbine engine rotor includes a paired race, a bearing, a mounting joint, and a plurality of mechanical fuses. The paired race includes an outer race and an inner race. The bearing is between the inner and outer races, and is configured to support the rotor on a support frame. The mounting joint includes a joint inner race and a joint outer race. At least one of the joint inner race and the joint outer race includes a spherical surface. The mounting joint is configured to reduce dynamic loads to the gas turbine engine structure and static bending to the rotor. The plurality of mechanical fuses extend through at least one of the joint inner race and the joint outer race.

Abstract: The method of the present invention is useful in a computer system including at least one client. The program executes a method for matching a pattern string with a target string, where either string can contain single or multi-character wild cards. The method includes the steps of preprocessing the pattern string into a prefix segment, a suffix segment, and zero or more interior segments. Next, matching the prefix segment, the suffix segment, and the interior segment(s) with the target string.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for workload balancing along multiple communication paths to a plurality of devices. The apparatus includes a controller that accumulates path usage information and a path balancing device that makes use of the accumulated path usage information to perform a path balancing operation. The path balancing method involves the path balancing device calculating the total expected connect time for all I/O messages issued to each of a plurality of peripheral devices during a predefined sampling period. These totals are then added for each communication path for the sampling period to obtain path totals. The path totals are then compared to see if a difference between the highest used path and the lowest used path is greater than a threshold amount. If the difference is higher than the threshold amount, the peripheral device having a total expected connect time that is closest to a target value is moved from the highest used path to the lowest used path.

Abstract: A system supports concurrent operation of multiple network compatible applications using corresponding multiple different operation interfaces. The system includes a data processor, a first interface processor, and a second interface processor. The data processor formats context data received from a first application to be compatible with an interface data format of a second application and formats the received context data to be compatible with an interface data format of a third application in response to examination of an indicator identifying a network connection to the third application. The first interface processor communicates formatted and compatible context data to the second application. The second interface processor communicates formatted and compatible context data to the third application.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a gas turbine engine rotor includes a paired race, a bearing, a mounting joint, and a plurality of mechanical fuses. The paired race includes an outer race and an inner race. The bearing is between the inner and outer races, and is configured to support the rotor on a support frame. The mounting joint includes a joint inner race and a joint outer race. At least one of the joint inner race and the joint outer race includes a spherical surface. The mounting joint is configured to reduce dynamic loads to the gas turbine engine structure and static bending to the rotor. The plurality of mechanical fuses extend through at least one of the joint inner race and the joint outer race.

Abstract: Delivering heat from modem high temperature solar collectors to storage tanks is more effectively done using a pressurized, high temperature fluid loop using nonflammable and low toxicity heat transfer fluids and is the subject of this patent. Nontoxic water/antifreeze mixtures can be used in pressurized (14#, (14 Pounds Square Inch pressure above atmosphere)) systems up to 265 degrees Fahrenheit before the mixture boils. Boiling under pressure transports either steam or heat out of the closed system. The steam must be condensed and returned to the closed loop system to keep it full. In order to accomplish this in a practical manner a pressurizing cap and overflow reservoir are used. The system will either shed excess heat collected by boiling or limit the heat input from the collector panel by increasing its heat loss due to increasing solar collector temperature above ambient.

Abstract: A heat exchanger which is adapted to an existing water tank to allow it to be heated or cooled using a hot or cold toxic or non-toxic liquid. Solar collectors and heat pumps can provide hot or cold liquids. To transfer this heat cheaply and economically to an existing hot or cold, water tank requires a simple efficient heat exchange, which can be easily adapted to the existing tank. The invention recited fills this need by simply screwing into the existing hot or cold, water tank and allow heat or cold to be added or extracted via a simple fluid loop, which is single wall isolated for non-toxic heat exchange fluids and double wall isolated for toxic heat exchange fluids.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a solar collector is disclosed. A microprocessor receives inputs from one or more sensors in a solar collector and determines the state of the solar collector from the inputs. Commands are also received from an external source for controlling operation of the solar collector. The microprocessor executes instructions to complete the command based on the state of the solar collector.

Abstract: A method for treating a fluid slurry with concrete grindings to separate constituents thereof, the constituents including water, sand and cement particles, the method including removing solids (e.g. large concrete fragments, rock, etc.) from fluid slurry with vibratory separation apparatus, the vibratory separation apparatus having screen apparatus for separating materials, the vibratory separation apparatus producing wet solids flowing off the top of the screen apparatus and a fluid stream containing water and cement particles, the fluid stream discharged beneath the screen apparatus, feeding at least a portion of the fluid stream to centrifuge apparatus, and separating cement particles from the fluid stream with the centrifuge apparatus and producing a stream of water with the centrifuge apparatus; and re-usable cement particles recovered using such a method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel systems and methods for public and/or private electronic interaction between industries for purposes of transmitting selective information to targeted individuals or entities within such industries, such as, between homebuilders and real estate professionals to facilitate home purchase transactions.

Abstract: A system and method by which a consumer can view web based information through a central service and set specific appointments with a selection of various builders and/or new home communities site is disclosed and described.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a gas turbine engine rotor includes a damper bearing configured to support the rotor, a bearing centering sub-assembly configured to position the damper bearing relative to the rotor, and a retainer. The damper bearing includes a frame that defines a bearing bore, an inner race, and an outer race, said inner and outer races within said bearing bore. The bearing centering apparatus sub-assembly includes a plurality of first springs and a plurality of second springs. The retainer is coupled to the bearing housing and is configured to maintain an axial position of the bearing outer race with respect to the support structure.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a gas turbine engine rotor includes a damper bearing configured to support the rotor, a bearing centering sub-assembly configured to position the damper bearing relative to the rotor, and a retainer. The damper bearing includes a frame that defines a bearing bore, an inner race, and an outer race, said inner and outer races within said bearing bore. The bearing centering apparatus sub-assembly includes a plurality of first springs and a plurality of second springs. The retainer is coupled to the bearing housing and is configured to maintain an axial position of the bearing outer race with respect to the support structure.

Abstract: A method for treating a fluid slurry with concrete grindings to separate constituents thereof, the constituents including water, sand and cement particles, the method including removing solids (e.g. large concrete fragments, rock, etc.) from fluid slurry with vibratory separation apparatus, the vibratory separation apparatus having screen apparatus for separating materials, the vibratory separation apparatus producing wet solids flowing off the top of the screen apparatus and a fluid stream containing water and cement particles, the fluid stream discharged beneath the screen apparatus, feeding at least a portion of the fluid stream to centrifuge apparatus, and separating cement particles from the fluid stream with the centrifuge apparatus and producing a stream of water with the centrifuge apparatus; and re-usable cement particles recovered using such a method.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a bearing assembly that reduces dynamic loads to a support frame and static bending to the rotor assembly during periods of rotor unbalance. The rotor assembly includes a rotor shaft coupled to a fan and supported longitudinally with a plurality of bearing assemblies on a support frame. A number two bearing assembly includes a paired race, a rolling element, and a mounting race. The mounting race includes a spherical face and is secured to the bearing assembly with a retainer that plastically fails at a pre-determined moment load.

Abstract: A system and associated communication protocol enables Internet compatible applications to be integrated into any process involving concurrent operation of applications. A system supporting concurrent operation of a plurality of Internet compatible applications includes a first application for receiving user identification information and for initiating authentication of the user identification information. The first application communicates a URL to a managing application for storage. The URL is used for acquiring a web page providing a logon menu to support user access to a plurality of different applications in response to the authenticated user identification information.