Abstract: A system is provided for use with an insulated boom section of a bucket truck. The system includes a source of high volume and pressure, dry air; one or more interior air diffusers connected to the source of high volume and pressure, dry air to direct the air into an interior of the insulated boom section. One or more exterior air diffusers connected to the source of high volume and pressure, dry air direct the air to along an exterior surface of the insulated boom section. A method is also provided for cleaning or drying both the interior and exterior surfaces simultaneously of an insulated boom section of the boom of a bucket truck. The boom of a bucket truck is further provided in another aspect that includes at least one insulated boom section, a source of high volume and pressure, dry air, one or more interior air diffusers and one or more exterior air diffusers. A pre-heating air heater may be removably mounted into the boom.

Abstract: With respect to reconciling data between a source system and one or more destination systems, a source agent obtains data from the source system. A destination agent obtains data from the destination system. The source and destination agents generate digests of the data obtained from the source and destination systems, respectively. The digests are provided to a consistency service for storage. The digests of the data stored at the source system are stored in a first tree data structure, such as a variant of a Merckle tree. The digests of the data stored at the destination system are stored in a second tree data structure, which might also be a variant of a Merckle tree. A comparison of the trees may be made in order to determine the consistency level of the data stored at the source system and the destination systems.

Abstract: A pillow remote controller using acoustic commands includes a pillow defining an open interior compartment configured for housing one or more pressure sensors electrically and operably coupled with an electronics enclosure. The electronics enclosure contains various electronic components including a power control and alarm circuit, an audio receive, de-code and function command circuit, a transmitter selector and interface circuit, and various transmitters for transmitting an operating function to an electronic product. The electronics are operable for receiving an acoustic command, de-coding the acoustic command, and providing a function command to the transmitter selector and interface circuit. The function command is interfaced with a particular type of transmitter and transmitted optically or wirelessly to the electronic product. One or more human presence sensors may be operably coupled with the power control and alarm circuit to provide an assurance of human presence before enabling operation.

Abstract: A system and method for the suppression of vegetation growth under fencing and the prevention of premature rotting is presented. The system includes moisture resistant edging blocks configured to rest between the fencing and the ground. The blocks include a lower surface for resting on the ground and an upper surface adjacent to a lower portion of the fence. The system includes a plurality of blocks selectively routed and interlocked together. The blocks may optionally include a notch to permit the full enclosure of the fence post, a groove to permit selective routing of exterior fluid lines and electrical lines along the fence, and a hollowed channel for interlocking neighboring blocks together.

Abstract: A pillow, with its internally contained electronics (an audio receiver, decoder, function controller, power controller, transmitter selector, interface, and transmitter circuitries) that provides a user with the ability to conveniently speak, or sound out in any manner, audible commands into it (the pillow) to remotely control the operating functions of various different types of devices while he or she is comfortably resting on it (the pillow)

Abstract: An assembly and method are provided for sealing a compressor in a gas turbine engine. The method comprises forming an annular groove in a compressor casing such that the groove extends circumferentially about a rotor that is housed within the casing. The compressor casing is then coupled to the rotor such that the compressor casing extends circumferentially about the rotor. A plurality of arcuate seal segments are then inserted into the annular groove without removing the rotor from the compressor casing such that the plurality of seal segments extend circumferentially about the rotor to facilitate sealing a gap that is defined between the rotor and the compressor casing.

Abstract: An assembly and method are provided for sealing a compressor in a gas turbine engine. The method comprises forming an annular groove in a compressor casing such that the groove extends circumferentially about a rotor that is housed within the casing. The compressor casing is then coupled to the rotor such that the compressor casing extends circumferentially about the rotor. A plurality of arcuate seal segments are then inserted into the annular groove without removing the rotor from the compressor casing such that the plurality of seal segments extend circumferentially about the rotor to facilitate sealing a gap that is defined between the rotor and the compressor casing.

Abstract: A brick laying system where an operator such as a mason works proximate a moveable platform having a robotic arm assembly, a mortar applicator with a mortar transfer device, and a brick transfer device to build structures. The robotically assisted brick laying system may also contain a stabilizer having a disturbance sensing and a disturbance correcting component that provides compensation for disturbances caused by load shifting, movement of the platform, wind, operator movement, and the like. In addition, the robotically assisted brick laying system has a sensing and positioning component for controlling placement of the moveable platform and robotic arm assembly. The interoperability of the system with a mason or skilled operator removes much of the manual labor component of brick laying, allowing the mason more time to focus on craftsmanship and quality, thus improving the end product and the overall working conditions of the mason.

Abstract: A financial institution may determine a first mortgage opportunity for a banking center within a market from market-level data. The market-level data for a market geographical area is obtained for customers originating a first mortgage within a predetermined time period and is typically anonymous while providing a credit score and indicator whether the associated customer is a customer of the financial institution and has conducted a transaction within a predetermined time duration. The market geographical area typically contains a plurality of financial centers for the financial institution. The market-level data is then filtered in order to determine a total mortgage opportunity for the financial institution. From information about the financial centers, the total mortgage opportunity is apportioned among the financial centers in the market. Resources may then be allocated to a financial center based on the estimated mortgage opportunity for the financial center.

Abstract: A solar roofing system includes components that can be made to mimic traditional tabbed asphalt roofing shingles in size, shape, and performance. Additionally, the shingles also include photovoltaic devices embedded in the shingle tabs. Shingles are installed in a traditional manner using traditional tools and fasteners in offset and overlapping rows. Electrical connectivity among tabs is made by contact between top and bottom surfaces of shingles without the need for additional wiring or hardware. The system includes multiple shingle shapes including a variation that can be cut apart into separate tabs. This solar roofing system can be integrated with non-photovoltaic components to fit irregularities found in a variety of roof surfaces. The system, once installed, creates a redundancy of electrical connectivity throughout a roof surface to allow for interruptions and irregularities in the roof surface and to allow for highly reliable output performance.

Abstract: A solar roofing system includes components that can be made to mimic traditional tabbed asphalt roofing shingles in size, shape, and performance. Additionally, the shingles also include photovoltaic devices embedded in the shingle tabs. Shingles are installed in a traditional manner using traditional tools and fasteners in offset and overlapping rows. Electrical connectivity among tabs is made by contact between top and bottom surfaces of shingles without the need for additional wiring or hardware. The system includes multiple shingle shapes including a variation that can be cut apart into separate tabs. This solar roofing system can be integrated with non-photovoltaic components to fit irregularities found in a variety of roof surfaces. The system, once installed, creates a redundancy of electrical connectivity throughout a roof surface to allow for interruptions and irregularities in the roof surface and to allow for highly reliable output performance.

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a system comprises a computer configured to boot using at least one of a plurality of boot techniques involving tape media. The system further comprises a tape drive coupled to the computer and a tape that is readable by the tape drive, wherein the tape is formatted to support a plurality of different boot techniques and wherein at least one of the supported boot techniques is compatible with the computer.

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a system comprises a computer configured to boot using at least one of a plurality of boot techniques involving tape media. The system further comprises a tape drive coupled to the computer and a tape that is readable by the tape drive, wherein the tape is formatted to support a plurality of different boot techniques and wherein at least one of the supported boot techniques is compatible with the computer.

Abstract: A recognition light includes a reflector having an axis and first and second annular semi-parabolic reflective surfaces which have respective focal points axially spaced apart from one another, and first and second annular lamps respectively disposed at the focal points. A cover surrounds the reflector and lamps and includes a lens for focusing the light along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the reflector, the lens including first and second Fresnel lens portions each including a convex lens and a prism lens, the convex lenses being disposed adjacent one another and transaxially aligned with the first and second lamps, respectively. A light detector detects light emitted from at least one of the lamps, a monitor circuit provides a fail signal when a characteristic of the light output of at least one of the lamps does not satisfy a specified criteria, and a control circuit first activates the first lamp and then the second lamp in response to receipt of the fail signal of the monitor circuit.

Abstract: A recognition light includes a reflector having an axis and first and second annular semi-parabolic reflective surfaces which have respective focal points axially spaced apart from one another, and first and second annular lamps respectively disposed at the focal points. A cover surrounds the reflector and lamps and includes a lens for focusing the light along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the reflector, the lens including first and second Fresnel lens portions each including a convex lens and a prism lens, the convex lenses being disposed adjacent one another and transaxially aligned with the first and second lamps, respectively. A light detector detects light emitted from at least one of the lamps, a monitor circuit provides a fail signal when a characteristic of the light output of at least one of the lamps does not satisfy a specified criteria, and a control circuit first activates the first lamp and then the second lamp in response to receipt of the fail signal of the monitor circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an air leak within an engine is provided. The engine includes an intake manifold communicating with an engine cylinder. The method includes measuring an exhaust gas constituent in exhaust gases from the engine when the engine is operating in an idle operating mode. The method further includes determining whether the air leak is present in the engine based on a measured exhaust gas constituent, a first air-fuel correction value, and a second air-fuel correction value.

Abstract: A recognition light includes a reflector having an axis and first and second annular semi-parabolic reflective surfaces which have respective focal points axially spaced apart from one another, and first and second annular lamps respectively disposed at the focal points. A cover surrounds the reflector and lamps and includes a lens for focusing the light along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the reflector, the lens including first and second Fresnel lens portions each including a convex lens and a prism lens, the convex lenses being disposed adjacent one another and transaxially aligned with the first and second lamps, respectively. A light detector detects light emitted from at least one of the lamps, a monitor circuit provides a fail signal when a characteristic of the light output of at least one of the lamps does not satisfy a specified criteria, and a control circuit first activates the first lamp and then the second lamp in response to receipt of the fail signal of the monitor circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an air leak within an engine is provided. The engine includes an intake manifold communicating with an engine cylinder. The method includes measuring an exhaust gas constituent in exhaust gases from the engine when the engine is operating in an idle operating mode. The method further includes determining whether the air leak is present in the engine based on a measured exhaust gas constituent, a first air-fuel correction value, and a second air-fuel correction value.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an air leak within an exhaust system is provided. The method includes measuring an exhaust gas constituent in exhaust gases from the engine when the engine is operating in an idle operating mode. The method further includes determining whether the air leak is present in the exhaust system based on a measured exhaust gas constituent, a first air-fuel correction value, and a second air-fuel correction value.

Abstract: A recognition light includes a reflector having an axis and first and second annular semi-parabolic reflective surfaces which have respective focal points axially spaced apart from one another, and first and second annular lamps respectively disposed at the focal points. A cover surrounds the reflector and lamps and includes a lens for focusing the light along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the reflector, the lens including first and second Fresnel lens portions each including a convex lens and a prism lens, the convex lenses being disposed adjacent one another and transaxially aligned with the first and second lamps, respectively. A light detector detects light emitted from at least one of the lamps, a monitor circuit provides a fail signal when a characteristic of the light output of at least one of the lamps does not satisfy a specified criteria, and a control circuit first activates the first lamp and then the second lamp in response to receipt of the fail signal of the monitor circuit.