Abstract: A method to determine the capacity of a plant over a time window of interest, the time window having a time length P, having the steps of: (a) gathering the plant's historical production data over a selected time period of length L and calculating the cycle entries of availability fractions for that data set; (b) calculating capacity C(i,1) for each contiguous portion p(i,1) of length p of the cycle entries from the previous step; (c) storing that calculated capacities C(i,1); (d) randomly shuffling the cycle entries; (e) calculating the capacity C(i,2) for each contiguous portion p(i,2) of the shuffled cycle entries; (f) storing the calculated capacities C(i,2); and (g) repeating steps (e)–(f) for a sufficient number of iterations, and then creating a histogram of the calculated capacities C(i,j).

Abstract: The invention is a method of allocating a computer to service a request for a data set in a system having a plurality of computers. The method is implemented on a neural having at an input layer having input nodes and an output layer having output nodes, where each output node is associated with a specific computer. Connecting the input nodes to the output nodes are weights w(j,k). Each output node is associated with a computer in the system, and the inputs to the input nodes are dependent upon the number of requests for specific pages.

Abstract: A pipe fitting aligning device having at least one square block assembly slidably positioned on a reference tool. The square block assembly includes a slot with a vertical scale extending therefrom. The device may include at least one compass assembly slidably positioned on the reference tool and spaced apart from the square block assembly.

Abstract: Presented in one embodiment is a waist chain comprising a plurality of links; a plurality of coupling members which connect the plurality of links, thereby forming a chain with two ends; and at least one end connection member which is connectable to both ends of the chain such that the chain becomes continuous. The waist chain is positioned tightly around the waist of a person such that as the person's weight increases, the waist chain becomes increasingly tight. Presented in another embodiment is a waist chain comprising a plurality of links; a plurality of coupling members which connect the plurality of links, thereby forming a chain with two ends; at least one end connection member which is connectable to both ends of the chain such that the chain becomes continuous and at least one end link which is connectable to one or both ends of the chain and to the end connection member. The end connection member is a hollow cylinder comprising a side wall.

Abstract: A method for individualizing an Internet/Intranet global directory and for adaptively changing the global directory structure based upon the individual alterations of multiple users. The method provides a default computer directory of prearranged files on a server computer. Client directory customization data is then provided to the server computer. With this information, the default directory is reconfigured into an individualized Internet/Intranet directory by modifying a copy of the default Internet/Intranet directory based upon the directory customization data. Further aspects include the step of updating the client directory customization data based upon user inputs; the step of collecting a history of client directory customization data; or the step of updating the default computer directory based on a history of client customization data.

Abstract: A wheel spinner for mounting on a rim of a vehicle wheel and enhance ornamental features of a tire. Direct current motors cause rotation of the spinner independently from rotation of the tires. A user operates a remote control for sending a sending to the drive motors to regulate the speed and direction of rotation of the spinner independently from the tire rotation. A cover plate secures the spinner to the rim of the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A method is provided for simultaneously developing caverns while depositing wastes or other materials in them. A well is first drilled into a salt formation and the development of a salt cavern by means of solution mining is initiated. When the development of the cavern has been carried out to an extent sufficient to accommodate the injection of a prescribed amount of wastes or other materials, injection of the wastes or other materials through the well is started while continuing to develop the cavern by solution mining. The injection of the wastes or other materials may be carried out continuously or intermittently. The proportion and rates of wastes or other materials and mining water injected into the well are monitored and regulated so that cavern development continues at a rate that allows the cavern to reach an intended prescribed size while the wastes or other materials are injected and deposited into the cavern.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a polymer based circuit by the following steps. A mold of a design is formed through a lithography process. The design is transferred to a polymer substrate through a hot embossing process. A metal layer is then deposited over at least part of said design and at least one electrical lead is connected to said metal layer.

Abstract: A method of patterning self-assembled thin films, including forming a photoresist layer on a substrate and then patterning and etching the photoresist layer. In combination with the etched photoresist layer, a self-assembled layer is formed on the substrate using LbL self-assembly.

Abstract: The invention is a scaffold access system for use in a scaffold frame of horizontal and vertical scaffold members. The system includes double barrel scaffold horizontal member, a series of short scaffold boards, a series of long scaffold boards, a short vertical scaffold member, a safety gate, and a series of short horizontal members. The double barrel scaffold horizontal member has a upper tube and a lower tube joined in a vertical relationship and a third tube slidable in the lower tube. Each tube has an interior and an exterior end. The upper tube and the third tube have an attachment member positioned on its respective exterior end. The upper tube has an upstanding vertical stub, to which is attached the short vertical scaffold member. The short scaffold boards and the long scaffold boards are placed on the scaffold frame to define a scaffold deck with an access opening.

Abstract: The invention consists of non-self supporting containment bag used in conjunction with a dumpster container. The bag has a zipper or other sealable means, and a series of pick-up or attachment loops or handles may also be attached to the outer bag material. The bag may additionally have an internal lining to resist leakage of fluids or wet materials stored in the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a silt restoration device comprising a vertical support member having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end is connected to an upper horizontal support member with the longitudinal length of the vertical support member being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the upper horizontal support member. At least one tire will be positioned on the vertical support member below the upper horizontal support member in a substantially vertical position. The tire will have a tread surface and a center space, wherein the vertical support member will impale the tread surface of the tire at two opposed points substantially along a diameter of the tire and substantially at a midpoint of a width of the tread surface.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a tissue-anchoring system, including a tissue-anchoring device and tissue anchors. The tissue-anchoring device includes a housing and a tissue anchor positioned on the tissue-anchoring device that will be inserted into a tissue or secured onto a tissue. The device may optionally have a plunger assembly slidably positioned in the housing to assist advancing anchor into a tissue. The tissue anchor has a barb end and a shaft. The barb end is adapted to resist removal from a tissue after the anchor has been inserted. The tissue anchor shaft and the barb end may be hollow. The anchor shaft has an attachment member distal from the barb end for direct attachment to a tissue or for attachment of sutures or slings. The tissue anchors may include an adjustment mechanism for intra- or post-operative adjustments.

Abstract: An improved die insert for gripping oil field tubular members in tubular handling systems such as power tongs, slips, safety clamps and the like. The die insert has a gripping surface which comprises a backing surface adapted to contact the tubular member. The backing surface may be smooth or it may have a series of teeth formed thereon. The backing surface further has a granulated particle coating applied thereto which forms the gripping surface of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the gripping surface will include a refractory metal carbide selected from the group consisting of the carbides of silicon, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium, titanium, zirconium, and boron.

Abstract: A method for constructing a power tong jaw, including the steps of: (1) providing a substantially flat upper plate and a substantially flat lower plate; (2) providing at least two separately formed substantially elongated column members, at least one of the column members having a die insert groove formed therein; and (3) connecting the upper plate to the lower plate using the column members.