Abstract: A method for automatically tracking assets and gathering information associated therewith is disclosed. Such a method includes attaching a tracking beacon to an asset and wirelessly monitoring, with an asset tracking system, a location of the asset using the attached tracking beacon. The method further enables a user to manually input information associated with the asset using an input element (e.g., button, directional switching device, touchscreen, etc.) incorporated into the tracking beacon. The method wirelessly transmits the information from the tracking beacon to the asset tracking system. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for automatically allocating the time of an individual to a project is disclosed. Such a method includes associating a project with a location, such as the location of an asset, and tracking proximity of an individual to the location. A “project” may include work associated with a particular client, work order, assignment, or the like. A “location” may include a stationary or changing location. The method further determines an amount of time that the individual is deemed to be proximate the location. The method automatically allocates time of the individual to the project during the time the individual is proximate the location. In certain embodiments, the method further enables the individual to manually adjust the time that is allocated to the project during the time the individual is proximate the location. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for automatically tracking assets and gathering information associated therewith is disclosed. Such a method includes attaching a tracking beacon to an asset and wirelessly monitoring, with an asset tracking system, a location of the asset using the attached tracking beacon. The method further enables a user to manually input information associated with the asset using an input element (e.g., button, directional switching device, touchscreen, etc.) incorporated into the tracking beacon. The method wirelessly transmits the information from the tracking beacon to the asset tracking system. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for automatically determining allocations of time or use is disclosed. Such a method includes gathering, using at least one sensor, environmental information describing an environment around an entity. The entity includes at least one of a person and a physical asset. The method further determines what supplemental information is needed to supplement the environmental information in order to determine an allocation for the entity, wherein the allocation includes at least one of an allocation of time and an allocation of use. The method is configured to automatically request the supplemental information from an individual. The method is further configured to receive the supplemental information from the individual and use the environmental information and supplemental information to determine the allocation for the entity. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for automatically allocating the time of an asset is disclosed. Such a method includes tracking proximity of a first asset relative to a second asset. The first asset may include, for example, a work order or one or more individuals. The second asset may include, for example, a piece of equipment, a room, or a work area. The method determines a duration of time the first asset is deemed to be proximate the second asset. In accordance with the duration of time, the method automatically allocates time of the second assert to at least one of the first asset, an entity associated with the first asset, and a project associated with the first asset. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for automatically allocating use of an asset is disclosed. Such a method includes tracking proximity of a first asset relative to a second asset and determining when the first asset is proximate the second asset. The method further senses use of the second asset while the first asset is proximate the second asset. Sensing use may include sensing vibration of the second asset, temperature of the second asset, electrical current drawn by the second asset, or the like. The method automatically allocates use of the second assert to at least one of the first asset, an entity associated with the first asset, and a project associated with the first asset. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A drill bit has a bit body with a plurality of fixed blades and a plurality of cutters disposed on the plurality of blades. The plurality of cutters includes a plurality of flat shear type cutters and at least one conical shaped cutter, wherein the plurality of flat shear type cutters define a cutter profile.

Abstract: Cutting elements may be used to degrade hard surfaces in roadway surface milling, earthworking, mining, or other in situ disintegration processes. A plurality of such cutting elements may be disposed on a movable base and thereby brought into engagement with a degradable surface. Groupings of the plurality of cutting elements may comprise unique cutting surface geometries. Various groupings may be arranged on the movable base such that the degradable surface forms a cross-sectional topography resembling a waveform comprising truncated peaks.

Abstract: A drill bit has a bit body with a plurality of fixed blades and a plurality of cutters disposed on the plurality of blades. The plurality of cutters includes a plurality of flat shear type cutters and at least one conical shaped cutter, wherein the plurality of flat shear type cutters define a cutter profile.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a system assembly for identifying a ferrous material comprises a plurality of magnetometers spaced at varying distances from a ferrous material. Each of the plurality of magnetometers may comprise a sensor reading of a magnitude of an absolute magnetic field, which comprises a magnetic field created by the ferrous material and an ambient magnetic field. One of the plurality of magnetometers may be designated as a primary magnetometer. A distance to the ferrous material from the primary magnetometer may be determined by forming a ratio of the differences in the sensor reading of the primary magnetometer and the sensor readings of the other magnetometers set equal to a ratio of the differences in the distance to the ferrous material from the primary magnetometer inversely cubed and the distances to the ferrous material from the other magnetometers inversely cubed.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a force balanced drill bit may comprise a bit body comprising a plurality of fixed blades, each blade comprising cutters defining a cutter profile. Junk slots may be disposed between the blades and define the blade boundaries. The blade boundaries may be spaced apart sufficiently to achieve force balance. In another aspect of the present invention a method of designing a downhole fixed bladed bit comprises the steps of modeling a fixed bladed bit by inputting blade and cutter parameters into a computer program, performing a force balance on the modeled fixed bladed bit, and modifying at least one blade parameter to adjust the force balance. The parameters for modeling a fixed bladed bit include cutter placement on a plurality of blades integrally formed in a bit body and a position for each blade.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a force balanced drill bit may comprise a bit body comprising a plurality of fixed blades, each blade comprising cutters defining a cutter profile. Junk slots may be disposed between the blades and define the blade boundaries. The blade boundaries may be spaced apart sufficiently to achieve force balance. In another aspect of the present invention a method of designing a downhole fixed bladed bit comprises the steps of modeling a fixed bladed bit by inputting blade and cutter parameters into a computer program, performing a force balance on the modeled fixed bladed bit, and modifying at least one blade parameter to adjust the force balance. The parameters for modeling a fixed bladed bit include cutter placement on a plurality of blades integrally formed in a bit body and a position for each blade.