Abstract: An example method includes receiving, at a module management unit (MMU) associated with a battery cell, a battery cell parameter measurement associated with the battery cell. The MMU in is communication with a battery radio frequency module via a first link. The method further includes performing, by the MMU, a first function based at least in part on the battery cell parameter measurement to generate a first signal, and transmitting, from the MMU, the first signal to the battery radio frequency module via the first link. The method further includes performing, by the battery radio frequency module, a second function based at least in part on the first signal to generate a second signal. The method further includes transmitting, from the battery radio frequency module, the second signal to a controller, and performing, by the controller, a third function based at least in part on the second signal.

Abstract: Provided is a casing washout perforating gun assembly for use in a wellbore. The casing washout perforating gun assembly, in one example, includes a carrier gun body, an uphole plurality of charges supported within the carrier gun body, and a downhole plurality of charges supported within the carrier gun body. According to this example, the uphole plurality of charges have an uphole size or uphole explosive design to perforate uphole openings having uphole opening areas within a wellbore casing, and the downhole plurality of charges have a different downhole size or different downhole explosive design to perforate downhole openings having downhole opening areas within the wellbore casing, and furthermore the downhole opening areas are at least 20 percent less than the uphole opening areas.

Abstract: Sawmill auditing and control apparatus and methods employ information from one or more scan zones and/or controllers (e.g., PLCs). Boards may be logically associated with mill equipment which produced the boards, allowing defects or imperfections to be tied to certain equipment. For example, boards may be associated with a primary breakdown machine or a gangsaw, or with a pair of cutters (e.g., saws, chip heads). Such allows auditing of mill operations to identify improperly functioning machinery or out of tolerance conditions, to correct such, and/or provide notification.

Abstract: An audit system and method audits operation of an optimizer system in a mill, for example auditing operation of a cant optimizer which optimizes sawing patterns. The audit system may be completely independent of the optimizer. For example, the audit system may acquire information (e.g., optically) indicative of a geometry of boards downstream from a piece of equipment such as a gangsaw. The audit system may computationally reconstruct a cant from which the boards were sawn, determine an outside dimension indicative of wane, and simulate alternative sawing patterns, determining a theoretical amount of recovery that would have resulted from each and comparing such to actual recovery from the log or cant. Alternative sawing patterns may take into account various wane rules and comparison may take into account current demand and/or prices for dimensional lumber.

Abstract: A drill string is comprised of a tubular element and an elastomeric element. The tubular element has an interior surface and a longitudinal axis. The elastomeric element is positioned on the interior surface of the tubular element, and includes one or more ribs extending from the interior surface of the tubular element and arranged in a configuration that diverges from the longitudinal axis of the tubular element. The ribs form an opening within the tubular element having a diameter of a preselected size substantially similar to a diameter of a tool to be positioned therein.

Abstract: At least one image device proximate a second conveyor is disposed a predetermined distance in front of chip heads. The at least one image device can image a log and capture the actual log position on a sharp chain before its being engaged by chip heads. A computing device is coupled to the at least one image device to receive data including the actual log position information. The computing device compares the actual log position to a preferred log position solution so as to check whether a log deviates from its expected position. If any position deviation exists, the computing device may send instructions to adjust the positions of the chip heads and saws to ensure that a log is correctly positioned relative to the chip heads and saws, whereby correcting log position errors and eliminating transport accuracy losses.

Abstract: Processing of a cant may include determining a rotational orientation about a longitudinal axis of the cant that optimizes a recovery from the cant from subsequent sawing operations. Such may include optimizing a width of a board that will be produced dependent on the particular rotational longitudinal orientation. Such may include determining a surface area of a board which would be produced, a thickness of a board that would be produced, and/or a volume of a board that would be produced. Such may include accounting for any premium associated with various width categories in which a board that would be produced would fit. Such may account for any premium associated with grade or quality of a board that would be produced. A corresponding signal may provide information to a human operator and/or automated machinery to orient the cant in an optimized orientation.

Abstract: An audit system and method audits operation of an optimizer system in a mill, for example auditing operation of a cant optimizer which optimizes sawing patterns. The audit system may be completely independent of the optimizer. For example, the audit system may acquire information (e.g., optically) indicative of a geometry of boards downstream from a piece of equipment such as a gangsaw. The audit system may computationally reconstruct a cant from which the boards were sawn, determine an outside dimension indicative of wane, and simulate alternative sawing patterns, determining a theoretical amount of recovery that would have resulted from each and comparing such to actual recovery from the log or cant. Alternative sawing patterns may take into account various wane rules and comparison may take into account current demand and/or prices for dimensional lumber.

Abstract: At least one geometric characteristic for each of a number of pieces of lumber is determined. Each of the pieces of lumber may then be logically associated with at least one of a log or a cant from which the piece of lumber was sawn.

Abstract: At least one geometric characteristic for each of a number of pieces of lumber is determined. Each of the pieces of lumber may then be logically associated with at least one of a log or a cant from which the piece of lumber was sawn. The geometric characteristic may be captured by one or more scanners, for example one or more laser scanners. The geometric characteristic may, for example be a measurement of thicknesses, widths and/or wane dimensions.

Abstract: At least one geometric characteristic for each of a number of pieces of lumber is determined. Each of the pieces of lumber may then be logically associated with at least one of a log or a cant from which the piece of lumber was sawn.

Abstract: Sawmill auditing and control apparatus and methods employ information from one or more scan zones and/or controllers (e.g., PLCs). Boards may be logically associated with mill equipment which produced the boards, allowing defects or imperfections to be tied to certain equipment. For example, boards may be associated with a primary breakdown machine or a gangsaw, or with a pair of cutters (e.g., saws, chip heads). Such allows auditing of mill operations to identify improperly functioning machinery or out of tolerance conditions, to correct such, and/or provide notification.

Abstract: At least one geometric characteristic for each of a number of pieces of lumber is determined. Each of the pieces of lumber may then be logically associated with at least one of a log or a cant from which the piece of lumber was sawn.

Abstract: A light source is used to illuminate a sawn portion of a piece of wood and exposed surfaces of the saw blade on both sides of the sawn portion. The sawn portion and the exposed surfaces of the saw blade are then imaged substantially concurrently using a single image generator. At least one geometric characteristic of the sawn portion and at least one geometric characteristic of the saw blade are determined based on the imaging.

Abstract: The geometric characteristics for a plurality of boards that have been completely sawn by a gangsaw are determined. A sawn surface of one of the plurality of boards is then logically associated with one of the plurality of saw blades in the gangsaw.

Abstract: At least one geometric characteristic for each of a number of pieces of lumber is determined. Each of the pieces of lumber may then be logically associated with at least one of a log or a cant from which the piece of lumber was sawn.

Abstract: The geometric characteristics for a plurality of boards that have been completely sawn by a gangsaw are determined. A sawn surface of one of the plurality of boards is then logically associated with one of the plurality of saw blades in the gangsaw.

Abstract: A light source is used to illuminate a sawn portion of a piece of wood and exposed surfaces of the saw blade on both sides of the sawn portion. The sawn portion and the exposed surfaces of the saw blade are then imaged substantially concurrently using a single image generator. At least one geometric characteristic of the sawn portion and at least one geometric characteristic of the saw blade are determined based on the imaging.

Abstract: At least one geometric characteristic for each of a number of pieces of lumber is determined. Each of the pieces of lumber may then be logically associated with at least one of a log or a cant from which the piece of lumber was sawn.

Abstract: A method for forming a variable wall thickness axle or tube with internally thickened wall sections comprises extruding a tubular metal blank within an elongated die. An elongated punch pushes the blank through the die. The punch has an end abutting and pushing the blank into and through the die and an elongated portion which is spaced from the interior wall surface of the die. Movement of the punch in pushing the blank causes the blank to partially extrude forwardly through the die until stopped and then to extrude rearwardly around the punch elongated portion through the space for forming a tube. A tubular ring is then inserted within the extruded tube at a pre-determined location and is fixed in place to provide a thick, combined tube wall and ring wall, section which extends radially inwardly of the tube. A number of spaced-apart rings may be used to provide spaced-apart thickened wall sections within the tube.