Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for minimizing stock outs and costs by managing manufacturing, ordering, and distribution in a supply chain. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for coordinating production across a supply network is provided. The method includes the steps of identifying one or more items in a supply network, identifying one or more constraints for such items in the supply network, identifying one or more strategic target buffers for such constraints, and generating make, order, and ship recommendations for one or more such items based upon one or more constraints and one or more strategic target buffers.

Abstract: The invention addresses the disadvantage of automated vehicle traffic management systems by providing a solution for predicting and avoiding traffic congestion before the congestion is experienced. The invention includes a decentralized mechanism for predicting congestion. An exemplary embodiment of the invention uses a system of sensors to determine current traffic flow; the sensors communicate their state to a network of servers and then an algorithm is applied to the collected data to predict traffic congestion; upon detection of congestion, signals are communicated to the system controllers to prevent the traffic congestion.

Abstract: The invention addresses the disadvantage of RFID scanning by maintaining the relative physical order of tags simultaneously scanned. The novelty of the invention includes a forwarding mechanism applied to the RFID tags and an aggregation of the received tag information. The received information is then used to calculate relative ordering information. Our system leverages both reader-to-tag and tag-to-tag communication. Each tag in the invention can measure the received signal strength and the ID of the sender. Tags respond to received signals by transmitting their ID and a payload consisting of the ID & signal strength of the previous sender as well as the payload received from the previous sender. The reader then aggregates this information from which is calculated the relative physical ordering of the tags based on the aggregated information.

Abstract: The invention addresses the disadvantage of automated vehicle traffic management systems by providing a solution for predicting and avoiding traffic congestion before the congestion is experienced. The invention includes a decentralized mechanism for predicting congestion. An exemplary embodiment of the invention uses a system of sensors to determine current traffic flow; the sensors communicate their state to a network of servers and then an algorithm is applied to the collected data to predict traffic congestion; upon detection of congestion, signals are communicated to the system controllers to prevent the traffic congestion.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer product that enables a processor associated with a node in a computer system having various nodes, the nodes having sensors which provide data, and the nodes being connected by a communications facility acquiring local data from the sensor and remote data from other nodes via the data transfer facility. The nodes process data from a local sensor at the node and from remote sensors at other nodes; and analyze the local data, data from other nodes and local decisions made at and received from other nodes to make a local decision for action at the node. A local decision made at a node is in turn communicated to other nodes.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the tracking of a target vehicle in connection h successively-received acoustic sensor signal data items. A fast Fourier transform operation is performed in connection with each successive acoustic sensor signal data item to generate a phase and amplitude beam map reflecting spectral signal energy in the received acoustic sensor signal data item. If the beam map for a acoustic sensor signal data item indicates that the item represents a signal having a signal-to-noise ratio above a first predetermined threshold value, a beam map generated for a previous acoustic sensor signal data item is used to generate a bounded beam map, a determination is made as to whether the bounded beam map represents a signal having a second predetermined signal-to-noise ratio. In response to a positive determination for the latter signal-to-noise determination, both the beam maps are used to generate tracking information for the target vehicle.

Abstract: A vacuum package is made of flexible laminate capable of being stored as roll stock. The laminate comprises laminated inner and outer layers providing desired mechanical properties, secured together at patterned areas to facilitate the passage of gas between the layers, and is provided with a hand peelable sealing strip at an area which, when the laminate is formed into a bag and the mouth sealed, extends around the periphery of the mouth of the package. When the laminate is formed into a bag, the application of vacuum to the interior of the bag results in the inner layer conforming to the contours of the contents, while ambient air between the layers enables the outer layer to maintain a desirable and aesthetically pleasing smooth surface texture.

Abstract: A light bar for mounting on an emergency vehicle to provide warning light signals, comprising at least two vertically spaced lighting layers, each layer having at least one light source, the light sources on each layer cooperating to provide a transient high intensity warning light signal 360.degree. around the light bar. The light bar may include oscillating light sources. A casing encloses the light sources, and a divider separates the light sources of at least two of the layers and divides the casing into at least two vertically spaced layers. The divider includes means for permitting air convection between the layers while blocking direct light transmission from the light sources on one layer to the other layer. The casing comprises upper and lower shell members which interfit to horizontally compress a gasket to seal the casing without screws or other fasteners penetrating the shells.

Abstract: A signal light comprising a base, a frame pivotally mounted on the base for pivoting about a first axis, and a bracket pivotally mounted in the frame for pivoting about a second axis, generally perpendicular to the first axis. A light source is mounted on the bracket so that it pivots with the frame and bracket about the first and second axes. The signal light includes apparatus for pivoting the light source about the first and second axes. This apparatus comprises a disc, having grooves forming first and second cam surfaces. The grooves are preferably located in opposite faces of the disc. A first cam follower follows the first cam surfaces and causes the frame to pivot. A second cam follower follows the second cam surface and causes the bracket to pivot.

Abstract: A generally open support ring is mounted onto the internal surface of a distillation tower. The support ring includes a seat rim and a plurality of mechanical elements which secure the seat rim to the internal surface of the tower. The plurality of mechanical elements are attached to both the inner surface and the seat rim. Each mechanical element protrudes from the inner surface and is spaced apart from the other mechanical elements. The plurality of mechanical elements enable the seat rim to be mounted along a substantially horizontal plane around the internal surface of the tower. The support ring is adapted to support an open container of liquid thereon in such a manner that vapor below the support ring is in fluid communication with vapor above the support ring through a series of vent openings in the support ring.

Abstract: A vacuum package is made of flexible laminate capable of being stored as roll stock. The laminate comprises laminated inner and outer layers providing desired mechanical properties, secured together at patterned areas to facilitate the passage of gas between the layers, and is provided with a hand peelable sealing strip at an area which, when the laminate is formed into a bag and the mouth sealed, extends around the periphery of the mouth of the package. When the laminate is formed into a bag, the application of vacuum to the interior of the bag results in the inner layer conforming to the contours of the contents, while ambient air between the layers enables the outer layer to maintain a desirable and aesthetically pleasing smooth surface texture.

Abstract: An improved universal ball joint especially adapted to be used in the transmission of high torque, as in oil field use, includes a driving and driven shaft. One of the shafts, which may be the driving shaft includes a spherical ball received in a housing provided in the other shaft, which may be the driven shaft. The opposed surfaces of the ball and housing include axially extending grooves of essentially the same depth and length forming therebetween a plurality of chambers. Each chamber receives a pin which is tapered at each end and which forms the driving connection between the shafts. The shafts and the ball may include a bore for flow of fluid through the assembly, the ball being sealed in the ball chamber by seals to provide a sealed ball chamber which may be filled with lubricant, the ball being seated on a bearing and retained in the chamber by a retainer member which prevents relative axial movement between the shafts.

Abstract: An improved core catcher for use within a coring tool is provided by shaping the lower portion of the core catcher so as to form a collapsible lower section. The collapsible lower section is structurally collapsed as the core catcher is longitudinally displaced within the coring tool to exert a radially compressive force against the core and to thereby seize the core and retain it within the coring tool. In one embodiment, the collapsible lower section is resilient so that it collapses and after operation resumes its original configuration for reuse. In another embodiment, the collapsible lower section is crushable and is therefore not reusable after the first use. The reusable core catcher is devised by providing the lower section of the core catcher with a plurality of thin slots appropriately aligned and extending through the lower section of the core catcher.

Abstract: A package made of a flexible laminate has a heat-fusible seal of a strength sufficient to retain vacuum within the package and to withstand handling, but capable of being broken by hand manipulation.

Abstract: An information exchange processor suitable for coupling a plurality of host computers to a plurality of communication channels each of which may utilize a uniquely defined communication discipline. More specifically, the information exchange processor comprises a master bus, one or more host memory input/output units each serving a different host computer, one or more microprocessors, one or more memory devices, and a plurality of device input/output units each of which serves one or more communication channels. Each communication channel can serve a peripheral device having a different communication discipline. In addition, the information exchange processor disclosed also provides a capability for interconnecting two communication channels having either the same or different communication disciplines for effecting direct information transfers therebetween without requiring monitoring by a host computer.

Abstract: An improved bearing system for the driven shaft of a downhole motor is shown that provides a main thrust and radial bearing system having means for sealing the bearings in oil at equal or slight pressure above that of the drilling mud inside the drill pipe and insulating the fluid seals and bearings from all possibility of contact with cuttings and debris from the drilling operation. A durable seal having a restricted flow path permitting slow leakage is positioned below the main bearing system in such a relationship to the drilling fluid distribution path that the seals for the oil bath for the bearings are subjected to essentially the same pressure on all sides.

Abstract: A drill bit (10) comprises a cast body (12) with full length wide overlapping integral spiral stabilizer lands (14) between intervening spiral grooves (16), integral short, strong, stubby spiral fingers (18) reinforced by additional web portions (12a) angularly spaced about a short core receiving bore (b) and the longitudinal axis of the body (21).An inclined core ejection passage (P) extends radially outwardly from a spherical inlet end thereof connected to the core receiving bore (b) and at which an inclined hard core cutter breaker inserted within a pocket is situated. The leading sides of the fingers have support surfaces (18a) and shoulders (18b) for supporting engagement with composite abrasive compact cutters comprised of a carbide backing (30a) bonded to the support surfaces (18a) and layers of bonded polycrystalline abrasive particles at opposite cutting sides (30b) inclined at a negative rake angle.