Abstract: Stray light in a metering structure is controlled by surrounding with a rigid shield an elongated length of a strut and supporting on the rigid shield a surface finish which is highly absorptive of light. The strut is thermally decoupled from the rigid shield using a plurality of insulating web layers comprising a multi-layer insulation (MLI) system disposed between the strut and the rigid shield. The MLI in such scenarios (1) thermally isolates the strut from the shield (2) serves as a support structure to support the rigid shield on the strut, and (3) absorbs thermally induced mechanical stresses as between the rigid shield and the strut.

Abstract: A method for implementing transaction-based data exchange. The method includes transferring information relating to a product via a transmission means selected by an individual at a computing device requesting the information. The information includes at least one of warranty information, accounting information, pricing information, and product details. The method further includes calculating a net worth relating to the product, and updating a financial application associated with the individual with results of the calculating.