Abstract: A method of maintaining a plurality of infrastructure components as part of a transmission network for a utility service in a defined geographic region having associated environmental characteristics, wherein each infrastructure component is deployed at a location in the region having associated one or more location characteristics and is of a component type having associated one or more infrastructure characteristics. The method including for each infrastructure component, executing a classifier based on one or more of the infrastructure characteristics, the location characteristics, and the environmental characteristics to forecast a measure of susceptibility of the infrastructure component to one or more operational impediments.

Abstract: A method of defining a deployment specification for one or more infrastructure components as part of a transmission network for a utility service in a defined geographic region includes receiving a deployment specification for each of a plurality of deployment options, each received specification including a location and type of one or more infrastructure components for deployment in the region, each type of infrastructure component having associated infrastructure characteristics, and each location having associated location characteristics.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of defining a deployment specification for one or more infrastructure components as part of a transmission network for a utility service in a defined geographic region, the region having associated environmental characteristics identifying environmental features of the region, and the region including a plurality of locations each having associated location characteristics.

Abstract: A system includes a circuit interruption device, such as a circuit breaker, contactor or other switch of an automatic transfer switch (ATS) or a similar device providing power to an input of an ATS, and a monitoring circuit, such as a controller of the ATS, coupled to the circuit interruption device and configured to monitor voltages at inputs and outputs of the circuit interruption device, to monitor an auxiliary contact signal associated with auxiliary contacts of the circuit interruption device, and to determine a status of the auxiliary contacts responsive to the monitored voltages and auxiliary contact signal.

Abstract: Methods of operating an automatic transfer switch (ATS) include detecting a first transition of an auxiliary contact set mechanically linked to a switch that selectively couples first and second AC power sources to an output of the ATS, determining a transition duration based on the detected first transition and a first assertion time of a first command for the first transition, identifying a second assertion time based on the determined transition duration, and asserting a second command for a second transition of the switch at the identified second assertion time.

Abstract: Methods of operating an automatic transfer switch (ATS) include detecting a first transition of an auxiliary contact set mechanically linked to a switch that selectively couples first and second AC power sources to an output of the ATS, determining a transition duration based on the detected first transition and a first assertion time of a first command for the first transition, identifying a second assertion time based on the determined transition duration, and asserting a second command for a second transition of the switch at the identified second assertion time.

Abstract: A system includes a circuit interruption device, such as a circuit breaker, contactor or other switch of an automatic transfer switch (ATS) or a similar device providing power to an input of an ATS, and a monitoring circuit, such as a controller of the ATS, coupled to the circuit interruption device and configured to monitor voltages at inputs and outputs of the circuit interruption device, to monitor an auxiliary contact signal associated with auxiliary contacts of the circuit interruption device, and to determine a status of the auxiliary contacts responsive to the monitored voltages and auxiliary contact signal.

Abstract: A method for facilitating and enabling a retailer having original manufacture surplus inventory of a product to sell the inventory to another retailer or to the general consuming public. The method comprises use of a Web site having a first level or portion exclusively for sales between subscribers to the site, such as retailers, and a second level or portion for sales between a retailer and the general consumer. The method includes receiving information regarding the surplus inventory product and an invoice from the vendor or original manufacturer of the product. An entity associated with the Web site verifies the authenticity of the product and facilitates the sale of the products with another retailer at a first price, or with the general consumer at a second price. In certain instances, a vendor can be a subscriber for selling to other subscribers.

Abstract: A method for facilitating and enabling a retailer having original manufacture surplus inventory of a product to sell the inventory to another retailer or to the general consuming public. The method comprises use of a Web site having a first level or portion exclusively for sales between subscribers to the site, such as retailers, and a second level or portion for sales between a retailer and the general consumer. The method includes receiving information regarding the surplus inventory product and an invoice from the vendor or original manufacturer of the product. An entity associated with the Web site verifies the authenticity of the product and facilitates the sale of the products with another retailer at a first price, or with the general consumer at a second price. In certain instances, a vendor can be a subscriber for selling to other subscribers.

Abstract: A method for facilitating and enabling a retailer having original manufacture surplus inventory of a product to sell the inventory to another retailer or to the general consuming public. The method comprises use of a Web site having a first level or portion exclusively for sales between subscribers to the site, such as retailers, and a second level or portion for sales between a retailer and the general consumer. The method includes receiving information regarding the surplus inventory product and an invoice from the vendor or original manufacturer of the product. An entity associated with the Web site verifies the authenticity of the product and facilitates the sale of the product with another retailer at a first price, or with the general consumer at a second price. In certain instances, a vendor can be a subscriber for selling to other subscribers.

Abstract: An automated core molding machine, including a method and apparatus for blowing and curing of cores wherein the special core box remains in a fixed vertical plane during the core forming and curing stages.

Abstract: A machine for production of cores for use in castings includes a platform for supporting two core boxes and a split filler head having dual discharge channels for simultaneously injecting core sand into two core boxes and for simultaneously applying curing gas to core sand injected the two into core boxes.

Abstract: An item of jewelry preferably in the form of a ring having a first ring portion mechanically interconnected to a second ring portion. Preferably each ring portion includes a plurality of alternating radially inward linking segments and radially outward linking segments. The radially inward linking segments include a groove which mates with a tongue formation on the radially outward linking segments.

Abstract: A method of queuing erase commands for a nonvolatile memory utilizes placeholder commands to prevent the depth of an operation queue from limiting the number of block erase commands that can be queued at one time. The method includes the step of storing a first erase command in the operation queue. The first erase command is designated as a placeholder erase command if no placeholder command is stored in the operation queue. Each of the first and placeholder erase commands designates at least one block of the nonvolatile memory to be erased. Each block has a corresponding status indicator. If a placeholder erase command is already stored in the operation queue, then 1) the corresponding status indicator for the block designated by the first erase command is set to indicate that the first erase command is an absorbed erase command, and 2) the first erase command is removed from the operation queue.

Abstract: A transintimal recanalization device comprising a guide tube (2) having a bend (C) in its length, a flexible needle (1) having a bevelled end (A) and a bend (C') in its length and located in said tube (2), wherein said needle (1) is movable from a covered position wherein said bevelled end (A) is within the tube (2) to an uncovered position in which said bevelled end (A) is exposed, and wherein said bends (C, C') match thereby orientating the bevelled end with respect to the tube (2). The device finds particular application in breaking through a vessel intima into a targeted distal vessel lumen in order to allow the passage of a guidewire.

Abstract: A method of prioritizing program and erase commands received in an operation queue for a memory includes the step of storing a placeholder erase command in the operation queue. Subsequent erase commands are absorbed by 1) storing the subsequent erase command in the operation queue; 2) setting a corresponding status indicator for the block designated by the subsequent erase command; and 3) removing the subsequent erase command from the operation queue, wherein the subsequent erase command becomes an absorbed erase command. If a program command that designates a same block as any one of the placeholder and absorbed erase commands is stored in the operation queue, then 1) the same block is erased; 2) the status indicator for the same block is cleared, if the same block is associated with the absorbed command; 3) the program command is executed; and 4) the program command is removed from the operation queue.

Abstract: A method of prioritizing program commands relative to erase commands in an operation queue for a memory includes the step of initiating an erase of a first block for a first erase command in the operation queue. The memory has a status indicator for each block. The status indicator indicates whether an erase command for its corresponding block has been received and removed from the operation queue but not yet executed (e.g., an absorbed erase command). An interrupt window is executed during the erasure of the first block to determine if the operation queue has received a second command for a second block. If the second command is a program command, then one of three steps is executed. If the first and second blocks are the same, then execution of the program command is deferred until after the erasure of the first block is complete. If the first and second blocks are not the same then the program command is either executed or deferred in accordance with the status indicator for the second block.

Abstract: The invention relates to tile cutters and provides a tool for cutting glass and ceramic tiles. The tool can be used both to guide a scriber for scoring the surface of the tile and also to provide the necessary bending stress to snap the tile along the score line. The tool comprises a base member and an arm hinged thereto, a ridge being formed on the top of the base member. The arm includes a slot for guiding the scriber and at least one pair of shoulders located on either side of the slot. The slot is held parallel to the ridge so that the shoulders are located on either side of the ridge. When pressure is applied to the arm with a tile resting on the base member, bending stress is applied to the tile by the ridge acting on one side of the tile and the two shoulders acting on the other side of the tile.