Abstract: A system and method for increasing claim recovery efficiency wherein an input engine receives claim data and is operatively coupled to both a clearinghouse system and an accounts receivable management system, which systems cooperatively identify errors in the claim record and prevent erred claim records from progressing to a payor. The clearinghouse system provides supplementation of the claim data for each claim record with additional data useful in electronic invoicing, assembly of claims for electronic invoicing, and submittal of claims for payment electronically.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing an amplified Radio Frequency pulse includes a controller for monitoring the output amplified pulse and determining therefrom a correction for a deviation in the characteristics. The correction is applied by a phase shifter or amplitude controller for subsequent pulses. The apparatus is particularly applicable to pulses used by RADAR equipment and allows the use of longer duration pulses. This improves the detection range of the equipment.

Abstract: A transport or storage cask comprises a cask body, a modular thermal conducting and shielding system and a mechanical attachment. The modular thermal conducting and shielding system includes a modular fin and a modular neutron shield. The mechanical attachment retains the modular thermal conducting and shielding system to the cask body. The modular fin is disposed between the modular neutron shield and the cask body. The modular fin is capable of dissipating thermal energy from the cask body.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for assuring that requirements for fissile material transportation are met to comply with the double contingency principle for preventing nuclear criticality by excluding moderator in-leakage. In one embodiment, a method includes designing and fabricating a canister to achieve an acceptable application, and verifying pre-shipment operation to assure that a transport system is properly assembled to meet its licensed transport configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for transporting and canistering nuclear spent fuel. In one embodiment, the method for transporting and canistering nuclear spent fuel comprises providing a canister that includes a mechanical closure for a lid on a container. The canister containing the nuclear spent fuel is loaded into a transport cask, and the transport cask is sealed at the power plant. It is preferred that the lid is not installed on the canister at the power plant. The transport cask containing the canister and nuclear spent fuel is transported to a remote facility. At the remote facility, the transport cask is opened and the lid of the canister is installed using the mechanical closure to seal the canister after the canister is transported to the remote facility. The canister containing the spent nuclear fuel is placed into an overpack, which is stored at the remote facility.

Abstract: Disclosed are the apparatus and methods for closing a canister that stores and transports spent nuclear fuel. In one embodiment, the canister includes a canister shell that includes an open end. A closure lid is inserted within the open end of the canister shell. The closure lid engages the open end of the canister shell to provide a weld area that is substantially on the outer circumference of the closure lid. The weld area includes a first weld layer and a second weld layer. The first weld layer welds the closure lid to the canister shell at the weld area and closes the canister. The second weld layer also welds the closure lid to the canister shell at the weld area, providing a redundant closure seal, and is disposed substantially on top of the first weld layer. The method for closing the canister is provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention is for a fiber optic flow cell. The flow cell comprises a substrate having at least one sample channel and at least one optical fiber channel holder. At least one optical fiber is disposed within each optical fiber channel holder. Each optical fiber has at least one grating wherein each grating is in contact with each sample channel, defining a sensing area. At least one sample port is positioned in an operable relationship to at least one sample channel. Alternatively, at least one sample outlet is positioned in an operable relationship to at least one sample channel. The flow cell may be of a modular design providing a flow cell kit that contains pieces that may be assembled to form custom-made flow cells. The flow cell is used for conducting measurement studies on a sample.

Abstract: An automated open topped apparatus and improved method for cleaning soil from metal parts which employs a low vapor tension, low density, LVTC, liquid cleaner in a first tank and a high vapor tension, higher density, immiscible rinse, HVTR, liquid in a second tank and a rinse vapor zone above both tanks in the apparatus which provides steps and means for preventing rinse vapor loss during shut down periods by using microprocessor controlled steps that cause a layer of the liquid cleaner to be positioned atop and cover the liquid rinse in its tank and at the end of the idle period returns the liquid cleaner cover to the first tank and re-starts the cleaning process and thereafter monitors and controls cleaning operation until the succeeding shut down period.

Abstract: An automated open topped apparatus and improved method for cleaning soil from metal parts which employs a low vapor tension, low density, LVTC, liquid cleaner in a first tank and a high vapor tension, higher density, immiscible rinse, HVTR, liquid in a second tank and a rinse vapor zone above both tanks in the apparatus which provides steps and means for preventing rinse vapor loss during shut down periods by using microprocessor controlled steps that cause a layer of the liquid cleaner to be positioned atop and cover the liquid rinse in its tank and at the end of the idle period returns the liquid cleaner cover to the first tank and re-starts the cleaning process and thereafter monitors and controls cleaning operation until the succeeding shut down period.

Abstract: A dual-knife device for scribing or scoring a wood workpiece before sawing it with a motorized circular handsaw or other saw. The scoring insures a clean saw cut without splintering the wood at the edges, as is required in trimming veneer doors and wall panels. A guide bar is clamped to the workpiece to guide the saw and the scoring device. Prior to sawing, the scoring device is drawn by hand across the workpiece, guided by the same guide bar. The scoring device comprises a pair of knife blades mounted close together on a frame. The knife blades cut two parallel scribe lines or scores into the wood surface, one on each side of the kerf to be sawed. When the saw cut is made, the score lines prevent the saw blade from splintering or feathering the surface of the workpiece along the kerf line, insuring a clean cut.

Abstract: A guide for a motorized handsaw which guide includes a track member and clamps which fixedly engage the track and clamp to the underside adjacent edges of the workpiece to be cut by the saw. The clamps include sawable workpiece edge engaging members which extend into the area of the expected saw cut so that they indicate the guided saw line therebetween.

Abstract: A wood cutting or scarfing and wood sawing apparatus includes a power saw having a pair of mutually spaced scarfing blades positioned in advance of the saw blade and aligned with side edges thereof. The scarfing blades, spring urged into engagement with a wood article being cut, sever surface fibers of the article in the cutting path of the following saw blade. Because the surface fibers are previously cut by the scarfing blades, the saw blade, which may thus be of a conventional crosscut type, does not tear the surface and a clean, smooth edged cut is provided. The apparatus is particularly adapted to laminated wood articles, such as conventional hollow core doors and plywood panels and sheets, which are otherwise difficult and relatively time consuming to cut without splintering. To enable cutting of doors and large panels or sheets, a large article support structure and a saw guideway are provided.