Abstract: A pile is comprised of a pipe, i.e., a hollow tube or hollow cylinder, with a coextensive internal reinforcement comprised of a plurality of intersecting walls. The pile is comprised of a blend of a thermoplastic and 20 to 50% (pbw) pelletized chopped strand glass fibers. The outer surface includes a co-extruded cap stock that is relatively smooth and exhibits a relatively low coefficient of friction. Internal walls define a central channel useful for water jetting, and peripheral channels useful for electrical, plumbing and mechanical lines. The internal structures exhibit roughness, bumpiness and a relatively high coefficient of friction for an extruded plastic. A groove may be formed in the pile adjacent to an end for resistance to uplift.

Abstract: An integrally formed, pre-stressed thermoplastic lumber product and a method for its manufacture are disclosed. The product comprises a core of a thermoplastic polymer, such as PVC, blended with chopped strand fibers. A plurality of pre-tensioned continuous fiber reinforcements are pultruded axially within the core. Enhanced frictional and mechanical coupling between the chopped fibers and the continuous reinforcements resists delamination and enables the effective transfer of tensile stress into compressive pre-stress within the core. The resulting lumber, finished with a co-extruded capstock layer, is a high-stiffness composite exhibiting a modulus of elasticity of at least 650,000 psi. The method involves the simultaneous co-extrusion of the core and capstock around the tensioned, pultruded continuous reinforcements.

Abstract: An extruded PVC railroad tie with glass fiber reinforcement contains glass fibers and clumps of pelletized glass fibers that enhance friction of all surfaces that are not coated with a cap stock. Parallel spaced apart interior walls enhance structural integrity. Two interior walls provide structures for threaded channels to threadedly and frictionally engage bolts for securing rail connection hardware. Interior compartments provide empty space for air and ballast. Air in the compartments moderates thermal expansion. A protective cap stock covers one or more sides, such as the exterior top and side surfaces of the tie. The bottom surface, which may be substantially devoid of a cap stock, exhibits roughness to grip and frictionally engage underlying ballast.

Abstract: A pre-stressed pultruded glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic lumber suitable for demanding construction environments, particularly marine and outdoor applications, features a solid core composed of a thermoplastic, such as PVC, blended with 15% to 40% by weight of pelletized chopped strand glass fibers. Pre-tensioned elongated continuous fiber reinforcements are embedded within and coextensive with this core via pultrusion. The presence of pelletized and fragmented glass fibers within the core enhances the mechanical coupling between the core and the continuous reinforcements, facilitating the transfer of tensile stress to the core as compressive pre-stress. An outer co-extruded cap stock provides protection against UV and IR radiation and enhances impact resistance. The resulting lumber exhibits a high modulus of elasticity (exceeding 800,000 psi), at least 60% fiber length retention, improved durability, and resistance to common wood degradation factors without the use of toxic chemicals.

Abstract: A pre-stressed pultruded glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic lumber suitable for demanding construction environments, particularly marine and outdoor applications, features a solid core composed of a thermoplastic, such as PVC, blended with 15% to 40% by weight of pelletized chopped strand glass fibers. Pre-tensioned elongated continuous fiber reinforcements are embedded within and coextensive with this core via pultrusion. The presence of pelletized and fragmented glass fibers within the core enhances the mechanical coupling between the core and the continuous reinforcements, facilitating the transfer of tensile stress to the core as compressive pre-stress. An outer co-extruded cap stock provides protection against UV and IR radiation and enhances impact resistance. The resulting lumber exhibits a high modulus of elasticity (exceeding 800,000 psi), at least 60% fiber length retention, improved durability, and resistance to common wood degradation factors without the use of toxic chemicals.

Abstract: A pile is comprised of a pipe, i.e., a hollow tube or hollow cylinder, with a coextensive internal reinforcement comprised of a plurality of intersecting walls. The pile is comprised of a blend of a thermoplastic and 20 to 50% (pbw) pelletized chopped strand glass fibers. The outer surface includes a co-extruded cap stock that is relatively smooth and exhibits a relatively low coefficient of friction. Internal walls define a central channel useful for water jetting, and peripheral channels useful for electrical, plumbing and mechanical lines. The internal structures exhibit roughness, bumpiness and a relatively high coefficient of friction for an extruded plastic. A groove may be formed in the pile adjacent to an end for resistance to uplift.

Abstract: A pile is comprised of a pipe, i.e., a hollow tube or hollow cylinder, with a coextensive internal reinforcement comprised of a plurality of intersecting walls. The pile is comprised of a blend of a thermoplastic and 20 to 50% (pbw) pelletized chopped strand glass fibers. The outer surface includes a co-extruded cap stock that is relatively smooth and exhibits a relatively low coefficient of friction. The internal structures exhibit roughness, bumpiness and a relatively high coefficient of friction for an extruded plastic. A groove may be formed in the pile adjacent to an end for resistance to uplift.

Abstract: A pile is comprised of a pipe, i.e., a hollow tube or hollow cylinder, with a coextensive internal reinforcement comprised of a plurality of intersecting walls. The pile is comprised of a blend of a thermoplastic and 20 to 50% (pbw) pelletized chopped strand glass fibers. The outer surface includes a co-extruded cap stock that is relatively smooth and exhibits a relatively low coefficient of friction. The internal structures exhibit roughness, bumpiness and a relatively high coefficient of friction for an extruded plastic. A groove may be formed in the pile adjacent to an end for resistance to uplift.

Abstract: A pile is comprised of a pipe, i.e., a tube or hollow cylinder of annular cross-section, with a coextensive internal reinforcement comprised of a plurality of intersecting walls forming a plurality of vertices. Each vertex intersects the pipe. Adjacent intersections are evenly spaced around the annular cross-section. The pile is comprised of a blend of PVC and 20 to 50% (pbw) chopped strand glass fibers. A groove is cut into the pile adjacent to an end for frictional retention in a sea bed.

Abstract: A pile is comprised of a pipe, i.e., a tube or hollow cylinder of annular cross-section, with a coextensive internal reinforcement comprised of a plurality of intersecting walls forming a plurality of vertices. Each vertex intersects the pipe. Adjacent intersections are evenly spaced around the annular cross-section. The pile is comprised of a blend of PVC and 20 to 50% (pbw) chopped strand glass fibers. A groove is cut into the pile adjacent to an end for frictional retention in a sea bed.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide an approach for analyzing statements of work (SOWs), and identifying applicable services to offer in response thereto. Among other things, a file may be converted from a first format to a second format, and then utilized to determine a scope of: at least one strategic outsourcing service being requested in the SOW; at least one service delivery tower of the services delivery organization that may have a responsibility for delivering a strategic outsourcing service to the potential client; and/or a set of requirements for the at least one service delivery tower to deliver the at least one strategic outsourcing service. A report identifying at least one of the determined scope, the at least one service delivery tower, and the set of requirements may then be generated.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide an approach for analyzing statements of work (SOWs), and identifying applicable services to offer in response thereto. Among other things, a file may be converted from a first format to a second format, and then utilized to determine a scope of: at least one strategic outsourcing service being requested in the SOW; at least one service delivery tower of the services delivery organization that may have a responsibility for delivering a strategic outsourcing service to the potential client; and/or a set of requirements for the at least one service delivery tower to deliver the at least one strategic outsourcing service. A report identifying at least one of the determined scope, the at least one service delivery tower, and the set of requirements may then be generated.

Abstract: A method and system for automating the processes of organizing and analyzing client inventory data. Inventory data in a first worksheet format and user-defined mappings between columns in the first worksheet format and columns in a standard format worksheet are received from a client. The inventory data is organized by copying inventory data columns to corresponding mapped columns in the standard format worksheet. A first set of independent subroutines analyzes the organized data by standardizing text in the data and populating columns in the standard format worksheet with data derived from the inventory data. A second set of independent subroutines is applied to the analyzed inventory data to sort inventory assets listed in the standard format worksheet by asset type and determine a total count of types of assets. The sorted asset type data is displayed to a user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamic quality adjustment based on changing streaming constraints is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a video stream is sent to a client according to a set of streaming constraints. At least a subset of the video information in the video stream is sent from a first source. Next, a signal is received indicating a relaxation of streaming constraints corresponding to the video stream. In one embodiment, the signal is a freeze frame signal. In another embodiment, the signal is a slow motion signal. In response to the signal, a set of improved quality video information from a second source is accessed and sent to the client. According to one embodiment, the set of improved quality video information comprises a still image. According to another embodiment, the set of improved quality video information comprises a set of preprocessed video information ready to be streamed.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering a live feed to a client is provided. According to one aspect of the invention, content data is generated by an encoder. Tag data that indicates locations of video frame data within the content data is generated while the content data is being generated. According to one embodiment, the tag data is generated by the encoder. According to an alternative embodiment, the tag data is generated by parsing the content data. The content data is at a location from which the content data is delivered to the client. The tag data is stored at a location from which the tag data may be used to provide the client non-sequential access to the content data. Before the encoder finishes generating the content data, a request is received for non-sequential access to the content data by the client, second content data is constructed based on the content data, the tag data and the request for non-sequential access, and the second content data is sent to the client.

Abstract: A method and system for providing non-sequential access to visual information that is being digitally encoded in a digital data stream is provided. The digital data stream includes a sequence of video frame data. Each video frame data in the sequence of video frame data corresponds to a video frame of the visual information. The digital data stream is generated with an encoder. The encoder generates tag data that indicates locations of the video frame data within the digital data stream. The digital data stream is stored at a location from which the digital data stream is delivered to a client. Tag data is stored at a location from which the tag data may be used to provide the client non-sequential access to the digital data stream. A selected set of video frames within the digital data stream is selected based on the tag data in response to a request for non-sequential access by the client.

Abstract: A data transport system has application for transferring binary large objects (blobs) to one or more clients. The data transport system includes a mass storage device, a high bandwidth network, a blob server and an applications server. The blobs are pre-packetized in a general format compatible with a network protocol in that the packets do not include specific control information that identifies a particular client and a particular request for a blob. At run time, a requesting client generates a request to the applications server to request a blob stored in the mass storage device. In turn, the applications server generates a request, that includes control information to identify the requesting client and the particular request, to the blob server. The blob server accesses the mass storage device to retrieve packets corresponding to the blob requested, and transfers the packets and the control information from the blob server to the requesting client.