Abstract: Disclosed are passive reflector radio communications systems, such as for UHF frequencies or greater than UHF frequencies, and related deployment systems and devices that provide underground communications. Embodiments of the system include reflector elements to provide passive radio communications, structural frameworks to support and orient the reflector elements, methods for calculating reflector size, shape, and position corresponding to a desired wavelength, and deployment methods and devices to install the communication system at a desired location. The passive reflectors can be placed in a folded or otherwise compact mode, for transport into underground tunnels. Once at the desired installation location, the system can be installed, with the reflectors positioned appropriately for the radio frequencies used at the location.

Abstract: In one aspect, a liquid collector having a forward lower edge, a connecting wall portion extending downwardly from the forward edge, a first layback wall portion connected to the connecting wall portion and extending upwardly and rearwardly from the connecting wall portion, an intermediate upper edge of the layback wall portion rearward of and above the forward lower edge. The liquid collector further includes an air diverter wall portion extending rearwardly from the first layback wall portion below the intermediate upper edge, a second layback wall portion extending upwardly and rearwardly of the air diverter wall portion, and a rearward upper edge of the second layback wall portion rearward of the intermediate upper edge and above the forward lower edge.

Abstract: A system for protecting the body and frame of a vehicle from flying debris, particularly during a tire blowout includes a mounting apparatus configured to secure a protective shield, which may be a protective plate and/or fender, to an axle of a vehicle. In embodiments, the protective plate may be mounted to the axel via a mounting apparatus, and the fender may further be mounted to the mounting apparatus and/or protective plate. In some embodiments, the protective plate may be mounted directly to the axel, and the fender may further be mounted to the protective plate, whereby the plate may serve as the mounting apparatus.

Abstract: A three-dimensional throwing game target apparatus includes platforms, bridge members, connectors and stanchions. The platforms include an outer wall and a platform receptacle ring that is adapted to receive a cup. Each of the bridge members include at least one bridge receptacle ring and a plurality of elongated girders extending outwardly from the bridge receptacle ring. The bridge members and the platforms may be detachably connected to one another in a horizontal plane. The stanchions are assembled to the platforms to support the receptacle rings at a plurality of different heights. The platforms, bridge members, connectors and stanchions may be assembled together to support the platform receptacle rings at selected vertically and horizontally spaced locations.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for centralizing comprehensive storage rental transactions includes receiving a search request from a customer for a storage rental business; directing the customer to a webpage displaying available storage units operated by the storage rental business; receiving a rental request from the customer for one of the available storage units; populating a rental application form with information received from the customer; generating a lease agreement between the storage rental business and the customer; obtaining electronic signatures executing the lease agreement; issuing the lease agreement to the customer and to the storage rental business; issuing an access code to the customer for access to the one of the available storage units; billing the customer monthly over a period determined by the lease agreement; receiving payment for the storage unit from the customer; and routing the payment to the storage rental business. The customer has contactless convenience.

Abstract: A system for protecting the body and frame of a vehicle from flying debris, particularly during a tire blowout includes a mounting apparatus configured to secure a protective shield, which may be a protective plate and/or fender, to an axle of a vehicle. In embodiments, the protective plate may be mounted to the axel via a mounting apparatus, and the fender may further be mounted to the mounting apparatus and/or protective plate. In some embodiments, the protective plate may be mounted directly to the axel, and the fender may further be mounted to the protective plate, whereby the plate may serve as the mounting apparatus.

Abstract: A system for protecting the body and frame of a vehicle from flying debris, particularly during a tire blowout includes a mounting apparatus configured to secure a protective shield, which may be a protective plate and/or fender, to an axle of a vehicle. In embodiments, the protective plate may be mounted to the axel via a mounting apparatus, and the fender may further be mounted to the mounting apparatus and/or protective plate. In some embodiments, the protective plate may be mounted directly to the axel, and the fender may further be mounted to the protective plate, whereby the plate may serve as the mounting apparatus.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product for cross-domain mapping between a business process modeler domain and an implementation domain are provided. The method includes accessing a business concept registry on a data storage device including business concepts with mapping for the business process modeler domain and the implementation domain. The method also includes creating a model with one or more of the business concepts interconnected to represent a business process in the business process modeler domain, and exporting the model from the business process modeler domain to the implementation domain according to the business concept mapping of the business concept registry.

Abstract: A system for determining the level of solids accumulated in a sand separator has a vibratory level sensor and a solid separator control system. The vibratory level sensor includes a vibratory rod and an exciter connected to the vibratory rod. In some embodiments, a vibration sensor is connected to the vibratory rod to monitor changes in the vibration of the rod. In other embodiments, changes in vibration are measured by looking at the rotational speed and power inputs at the exciter.

Abstract: A cooling tower is provided having a heat exchange section, and a fan for moving air through the heat exchange section. A water distribution assembly provides water onto and through the heat exchange section. An air inlet section is provided through which air is drawn into the cooling tower and the heat exchange section. The air inlet section has outside edges and corners. A wall assembly is provided in the air inlet section, with the wall assembly extending from the corners of the air inlet section inwardly. The water passing through the heat exchange section enters the air inlet section, and exits to a sump beneath the air inlet section. The air inlet section is comprised of a structure having outside edges and corners, and the wall assembly is comprised of a plurality of wall panel sections. Each wall panel section has an outer edge at a corner of the air inlet section, and each wall panel section extends inwardly from the corner of the air inlet section.

Abstract: A three-dimensional throwing game target apparatus includes platforms, bridge members, connectors and stanchions. The platforms include an outer wall and a platform receptacle ring that is adapted to receive a cup. Each of the bridge members include at least one bridge receptacle ring and a plurality of elongated girders extending outwardly from the bridge receptacle ring. The bridge members and the platforms may be detachably connected to one another in a horizontal plane. The stanchions are assembled to the platforms to support the receptacle rings at a plurality of different heights. The platforms, bridge members, connectors and stanchions may be assembled together to support the platform receptacle rings at selected vertically and horizontally spaced locations.

Abstract: Load balancing in a multimedia conference is disclosed, involving one or more internal terminals and one or more internal nodes separated from one or more external terminals and one or more external nodes by a firewall. Media data is forwarded through the firewall to at least a second one of the nodes, and received media data at the at least a second one of said nodes are processed. At a first event, reconfiguration is performed of said first one of said nodes to process received media data and of said second one of said nodes to forward received media data to said first one of said nodes. At a second event, loading is done of at least a part of said received media data being processed at the first one or second one of said nodes to at least a third one of said nodes.

Abstract: A cooling tower is provided having a heat exchange section, and a fan for moving air through the heat exchange section. A water distribution assembly provides water onto and through the heat exchange section. An air inlet section is provided through which air is drawn into the cooling tower and the heat exchange section. The air inlet section has outside edges and corners. A wall assembly is provided in the air inlet section, with the wall assembly extending from the corners of the air inlet section inwardly. The water passing through the heat exchange section enters the air inlet section, and exits to a sump beneath the air inlet section. The air inlet section is comprised of a structure having outside edges and corners, and the wall assembly is comprised of a plurality of wall panel sections. Each wall panel section has an outer edge at a corner of the air inlet section, and each wall panel section extends inwardly from the corner of the air inlet section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a suturing device comprising a lower jaw rigidly attached to an elongated suturing device body, an upper jaw mobile with respect to the lower jaw, and an activation mechanism for actuating movement of the upper jaw, wherein each jaw comprises at least two apertures or channels within the lower jaw configured and dimensioned to allow a suture thread to pass through. Also disclosed is a suturing device comprising an elongated drive shaft, a handle assembly comprising a tubular handle body, at least one movable element connected to the drive shaft, and an activation mechanism comprising an rotatable activation knob for actuating movement of the at least one movable element. A suturing device combining the above-described jaw elements and activation mechanism is additionally provided. Further, kits comprising disclosed devices and surgical methods utilizing the same are also provided.

Abstract: Load balancing in a multimedia conference is disclosed, involving one or more internal terminals (Terminal 3) and one or more internal nodes (Node B) separated from one or more external terminals (Terminal 1, Terminal 2) and one or more external nodes (Node A) by a firewall. Media data from at least one of said terminals received at at least a first one of said nodes are forwarded through the firewall to at least a second one of the nodes, and received media data at the at least a second one of said nodes are processed by the second one of the nodes. At a first event, reconfiguration is performed of said first one of said nodes to process received media data and of said second one of said nodes to forward received media data to said first one of said nodes. At a second event, loading is done of at least a part of said received media data being processed at the first one or second one of said nodes to at least a third one of said nodes.

Abstract: A phased array ultrasonic probe may be mounted to a component to be inspected for wall thickness on an apparatus that includes a split ring adapted to be magnetically held in place on the component. In particular, the probe may be mounted to a carriage connected to the split ring in a manner that allows the carriage to rotate around the split ring while the probe is in operation. Between the probe and the component, a transducer shoe defining, by a flexible membrane, a cavity and an aperture. Conveniently, the construction of the flexible membrane allows wall thickness measurements to be acquired in portions of the component that have complex topography, such as welds. The apparatus is installed on an adaptor assembly for inspection of straight section of pipes. This adaptor assembly is not used in absence of straight section.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for generating a lease-purchase agreement including a non-transitory computer-readable medium with software instructions a processor configured to execute the software instructions to cause the system to couple to a front end client including a customer interface including an approval and order session, to process a customer application by verifying a customer in the approval session, and switching to the order session to enable an approved customer to select a good, review an estimate, select a payment option, and order a good. The customer can review an initial and monthly payment, optionally select a user-definable early purchase option payment amount if applicable, and sign a lease agreement generated by the system. The front end client can be a web coupled device, where the approval and order sessions transmit over the Internet, or a kiosk device that displays the approval and order sessions.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing a scheme to apply commercial web search technologies to biometric matching and identification based on converting biometric identification data to one or more text strings. Collected biometric identification information regarding particular physical traits is converted to a form that facilitates application of commercial Web search technologies to implement biometric matching and identification. A scalability of multi-modal biometric identification systems is maintained while substantially eliminating reliance on proprietary matchers and templates in support of interoperability and customer satisfaction. Separate biometric templates are converted into strings of searchable text in any combination of alpha-numerics during a standard biometric data enrollment process in order to limit the data storage requirements and streamline the later undertaken comparison process.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing a scheme to apply commercial web search technologies to biometric matching and identification based on converting biometric identification data to one or more text strings. Collected biometric identification information regarding particular physical traits is converted to a form that facilitates application of commercial Web search technologies to implement biometric matching and identification. A scalability of multi-modal biometric identification systems is maintained while substantially eliminating reliance on proprietary matchers and templates in support of interoperability and customer satisfaction. Separate biometric templates are converted into strings of searchable text in any combination of alpha-numerics during a standard biometric data enrollment process in order to limit the data storage requirements and streamline the later undertaken comparison process.