Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving a definition of a version of a part family comprising a plurality of parts, each part having a same shape and a different respective size, wherein the definition includes a set of parameter values for each part of the part family; storing the definition along with other versions of the part family in either a parametric or parametric-independent format; receiving a request for the part family for a particular computer-aided design system; converting a latest version to a different format that is compatible with the particular computer-aided design system; and providing the converted part family in response to the request.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying a plurality of part families, where each part family comprises a plurality of parts; and for each part in each part family: obtaining connection port geometry information for a physical part in a part family; positioning each of the port vectors in a three-dimensional space at a respective location specified by the port vector; generating a respective port alignment line for each of the port vectors; generating one or more base curves each positioned to align with a plurality of the port alignment lines; generating one or more port solids from the connection port geometry information; and constructing body geometry between each of the one or more port solids by sweeping along a respective base curve, wherein the constructing is based at least on the connection port geometry information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving a definition of a version of a part family comprising a plurality of parts, each part having a same shape and a different respective size, wherein the definition includes a set of parameter values for each part of the part family; storing the definition along with other versions of the part family in either a parametric or parametric-independent format; receiving a request for the part family for a particular computer-aided design system; converting a latest version to a different format that is compatible with the particular computer-aided design system; and providing the converted part family in response to the request.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a data structure, method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for representing data in a self-expanding data package. The package comprises one or more basic table data having zero, one or more table rows, a set of one or more constant lists having one or more values, and one or more row validation calculations. Use of the set of constant lists and row validation calculations provides a mechanism for compact data storage, wherein the self-expanding data package may be expanded. To expand the package, each list member of a constant list is combined with all other basic table rows and additional list members to produce every possible combination of table rows. Row validation calculations are applied to test validity of each tow, and only those expanded table tows that are valid appear in the expanded table.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method for modeling a variety of three-dimensional (3D) utility networks constructed from individual parts. In one embodiment, users may construct a utility network by selecting and assembling a network of inter-connected parts, where each part may be associated one or more design rules. When a part is placed within the model, the rules corresponding to the part may be applied. The network part rules may be configured to adjust the position, properties or attributes associated with a network part to comply with a rule. Alternatively, a user interface display may provide an indication of any network parts of a 3D model that violate a particular network part rule.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus and article of manufacture for modeling a variety of three-dimensional (3D) utility networks constructed from individual network part elements. In one embodiment, users may construct a utility network by selecting and assembling a network of inter-connected parts, where each part is selected from a pipe and structure list. Connectivity among parts is established through part placement. Structure and connected pipe properties may be managed as a single property set. As parts are placed in the utility network, auto-sizing logic resizes existing structures to connected pipes. Pipes and structures are represented by part model data that defines a set of common behavior and properties. When a user modifies part model data or property sets or moves inter-connected parts, a logic component resizes and automatically updates any associated two-dimensional and three-dimensional views of the utility network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for editing network parts present a computer-aided design (CAD) model of a utility network using grips. The network parts may represent elements present in a real-world utility network. Among others, the grips may include a part size grip and a structure rotation grip. When a user selects a part size grip, a graphical user interface may display hash marks to indicate a variety of sizes of the network part provided by a network parts catalog. Dragging the resize grip may cause it to jump from one hash mark to the next, allowing the user to easily select one of the available part sizes. A structure rotation grip may be used to rotate a network part representing a utility network structure about an asymmetric axis.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method for extending a schema of network parts types and part type attributes hard-coded by a CAD application. The network parts may be used to compose a CAD model. Users may extend the network part schema by adding an attribute or property for an existing network part, or define an entirely new part by associating the new network part with a set of part type attributes. At the same time, the CAD application may use either a hard-coded or dynamically assigned enumeration value to perform a variety of functions using both the hard-coded and user declared network part types and part properties. For example, functions such as searching a network part list or traversing the elements included in a CAD model may operate using the enumeration values, allowing the CAD application to perform these operations efficiently.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method for generating a curved pipe object in a computer-aided design drawing where the geometry of a curved pipe object is generally represented as a segment of a helix. A user selects a curved pipe creation method and a set of geometric attributes from which the helix parameters may be determined. From the helix parameters, a display representation of the curved pipe object may then be generated and displayed in the CAD drawing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for editing network parts present a computer-aided design (CAD) model of a utility network using grips. The network parts may represent elements present in a real-world utility network. Among others, the grips may include a part size grip and a structure rotation grip. When a user selects a part size grip, a graphical user interface may display hash marks to indicate a variety of sizes of the network part provided by a network parts catalog. Dragging the resize grip may cause it to jump from one hash mark to the next, allowing the user to easily select one of the available part sizes. A structure rotation grip may be used to rotate a network part representing a utility network structure about an asymmetric axis.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method for generating a curved pipe object in a computer-aided design drawing where the geometry of a curved pipe object is generally represented as a segment of a helix. A user selects a curved pipe creation method and a set of geometric attributes from which the helix parameters may be determined. From the helix parameters, a display representation of the curved pipe object may then be generated and displayed in the CAD drawing.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method for extending a schema of network parts types and part type attributes hard-coded by a CAD application. The network parts may be used to compose a CAD model. Users may extend the network part schema by adding an attribute or property for an existing network part, or define an entirely new part by associating the new network part with a set of part type attributes. At the same time, the CAD application may use either a hard-coded or dynamically assigned enumeration value to perform a variety of functions using both the hard-coded and user declared network part types and part properties. For example, functions such as searching a network part list or traversing the elements included in a CAD model may operate using the enumeration values, allowing the CAD application to perform these operations efficiently.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method for modeling a variety of three-dimensional (3D) utility networks constructed from individual parts. In one embodiment, users may construct a utility network by selecting and assembling a network of inter-connected parts, where each part may be associated one or more design rules. When a part is placed within the model, the rules corresponding to the part may be applied. The network part rules may be configured to adjust the position, properties or attributes associated with a network part to comply with a rule. Alternatively, a user interface display may provide an indication of any network parts of a 3D model that violate a particular network part rule.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering repetitive, precision, low volume liquid dispensing from a dispensing orifice of a non-contact liquid dispensing apparatus. An elongated communication passageway of the dispensing apparatus is defined by interior walls having one end in fluid communication with a system fluid reservoir and an opposite end terminating at the dispensing orifice. A system fluid is placed in the communication passageway extending substantially continuously from the system fluid reservoir to the dispensing orifice. The system fluid reservoir is pressurized at a substantially constant back pressure, with a pressurizing gas, preferably helium, that suppresses in-gassing, and that is substantially insoluble to the system liquid. A dispensing liquid is aspirated through the dispensing orifice and into the communication passageway substantially to an interface region with the system fluid contained in the communication passageway.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus and article of manufacture for modeling a variety of three-dimensional (3D) utility networks constructed from individual network part elements. In one embodiment, users may construct a utility network by selecting and assembling a network of inter-connected parts, where each part is selected from a pipe and structure list. Connectivity among parts is established through part placement. Structure and connected pipe properties may be managed as a single property set. As parts are placed in the utility network, auto-sizing logic resizes existing structures to connected pipes. Pipes and structures are represented by part model data that defines a set of common behavior and properties. When a user modifies part model data or property sets or moves inter-connected parts, a logic component resizes and automatically updates any associated two-dimensional and three-dimensional views of the utility network.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention enable a method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and data structure for an adaptable multi-representation building systems data structure in an application program. The data structure comprises a single object that can represent a real world component used throughout a building life cycle, from preliminary design throughout a life of the building. As design decisions are made, the single object can acquire further definition, gaining one or more characteristics that characterize and specify the real-world component. The single object and a connector of the object can recognize and automatically connect to a valid subsystem. Further, the single object can represent itself in multiple graphical and non-graphical displays.

Abstract: One or mote embodiments of the invention enable a method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and data structure for an adaptable multi-representation building systems data structure in an application program. The data structure comprises a single object that can represent a real world component used throughout a building life cycle, from preliminary design throughout a life of the building. As design decisions are made, the single object can acquire further definition, gaining one or more characteristics that characterize and specify the real-world component. The single object and a connector of the object can recognize and automatically connect to a valid subsystem. Further, the single object can represent itself in multiple graphical and non-graphical displays.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a data structure, method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for representing data in a self-expanding data package. The package comprises one or more basic table data having zero, one or more table rows, a set of one or more constant lists having one or more values, and one or more row validation calculations. Use of the set of constant lists and row validation calculations provides a mechanism for compact data storage, wherein the self-expanding data package may be expanded. To expand the package, each list member of a constant list is combined with all other basic table rows and additional list members to produce every possible combination of table rows. Row validation calculations are applied to test validity of each tow, and only those expanded table tows that are valid appear in the expanded table.