Abstract: Smart graphic elements are provided for use as portions or components of one or more graphic displays, which may be executed in a process plant to display information to users about the process plant environment, such as the current state of devices within the process plant. Each of the graphic elements is an executable object that includes a property or a variable that may be bound to an associated process entity, like a field device, and that includes multiple visualizations, each of which may be used to graphically depict the associated process entity on a user interface when the graphic element is executed as part of the graphic display. Any of the graphic element visualizations may be used in any particular graphic display and the same graphic display may use different ones of the visualizations at different times.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to novel systems and methods for creating and/or maintaining at least one database with availability and location information for inventory items available for sale by one or more sellers; for permitting potential customers to search, preferably in near real time, for the availability and location of such inventory items; for permitting customers to reserve, and purchase, such inventory items at location(s) of their choosing; and for permitting sellers to improve their inventory management based on customer search requests.

Abstract: A mechanism for securing a handle to a head, particularly of a lacrosse stick, comprises a shaft having a wedge portion positioned at a distal end thereof, a binding plate positioned adjacent to said shaft, and a means for moving said wedge portion in a longitudinal direction relative to said binding plate. Longitudinal movement of said wedge portion causes latitudinal movement of said binding plate, thereby binding said handle to said head. Such a mechanism can be used in a method for securing and maintaining secure the joint between a handle and a head, either in a new lacrosse stick or as a retrofit.

Abstract: A regenerative load that includes an input configured to draw a specified current and an output configured to provide an output voltage and current is described. The regenerative load configured to maintain the output voltage to cause the regenerative load to draw the specified current from the unit under test. The output of the regenerative load is provided back to the input of the unit under test. The input current or voltage can be AC, DC, or a combination of AC and DC. The output current or voltage can be AC, DC, or a combination of AC and DC. In one embodiment, a thermal barrier is provided between a test chamber and a load chamber to allow converters under test to be operated at a test temperature while the regenerative loads are operated at a desired operational temperature.

Abstract: The present inventive subject matter relates to a computer program product, system and method which allows multiple parties to monitor items in a supply chain via a network.

Abstract: A flow control valve for controlling the flow of fuel in a fuel system including a housing with a fuel passage, a valve device movable to close the fuel passage to block fuel flow through the fuel passage, and to open the fuel passage to permit fuel flow through the fuel passage, a valve plunger engaging the valve device, an actuator for reciprocally moving the valve plunger, an armature overtravel feature for permitting continued movement of the armature relative to the valve plunger from an engaged position into a disengaged position when the valve plunger reaches the extended position, and an armature stop for stopping overtravel of the armature.

Abstract: An air intake silencer assembly at the intake of an air handling system includes a plenum housing having an inlet end for receiving air and having an outlet port for discharging air. Two baffle panels in spaced relation in the housing define, with the housing, an inlet chamber, a central chamber, and a discharge chamber. A plurality of tubular members is supported by the baffle panels and each includes a perforated core and a sound dissipating fiber wrapping. Air flows into the inlet chamber, through the plurality of tubular members to the discharge chamber, and is discharged from the discharge chamber through the outlet port.

Abstract: An operator interface within a process plant includes an execution engine that implements process flow modules made up of interconnected smart process objects that are aware of devices and other entities within the plant and that can perform methods to detect conditions within the plant, especially on a system-level basis. The smart process objects include a display element to be displayed to the operator, data storage for storing data pertaining to and/or received from an associated entity within a plant, inputs and outputs for communicating with other smart process objects and methods that may be executed on the stored and received data to detect plant conditions, including system-level conditions, such as leaks, errors and other conditions. Process flow modules, which may be made up of numerous interconnected smart process objects, may also include flow algorithms associated therewith to calculate mass balances, flows, etc. for the process elements within the process flow modules.

Abstract: An automatic pallet inspection cell (10) comprises one or two multi axis robot arms (14, 15) which terminate in either internal or exterior pallet grippers. The robots are used to transport a gripped pallet (12) through an automated inspection station (16) which compiles a three dimensional data map of a pallet surface. A processor interprets the map and producing a recipe for the robot or robots. One or more stations (17, 18, 19) conduct pallet repair operations that are specified by the recipe. A method for levelling a pallet prior to board removal by a band saw (17) is also disclosed, characterised by rolling the pallet relative to a blade of the band saw to a first and a second roll angle, and positioning the pallet at a position which is an average of the first and second roll angles.

Abstract: A pulsation dampener for receiving a fluid medium containing pressure pulsations. The pulsation dampener can include a body having an inner surface, an inlet, and an outlet, and a fluid path defined at least partially by the inner surface of the body. The fluid path can include a first chamber in fluid communication with the inlet and having a first cross-sectional area, a second chamber positioned adjacent the first chamber and having a second cross-sectional area different from the first cross-sectional area, and a third chamber in fluid communication with the outlet and positioned adjacent the second chamber opposite the first chamber and having a third cross-sectional area different from the second cross-sectional area. The fluid path can be configured such that the second cross-sectional area is greater than the first cross-sectional area and the third cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A version control system helps to keep track of versions of process plant items that may represent, or be capable of representing, entities in a process plant. The process plant items may comprise, for example, module objects which may be capable of specifically representing process entities of the process plant. These module objects may be created from module class objects which may be capable of generically representing process entities of the process plant. Version data is stored and associated with a module object. The version data may comprise data indicative of a version of a module class object that was used to create the module object. The version data may also comprise data indicative of a version of the module object. Configuration systems, version control systems, viewing systems, debugging systems, run-time monitoring systems, asset management systems, etc., may examine or permit viewing of the version control data associated with an item.

Abstract: Graphic displays, which display information about process elements and the manner in which these elements are connected within a process, process modules, which simulate the operation of the elements depicted within the graphic displays and control modules, which perform on-line control activities within a process, may be communicatively connected together to provide a combined control, simulation and display environment that enables enhanced control, simulation and display activities. Smart process objects, which have both graphical and simulation elements, may used to create one or more graphic displays and one or more process simulation modules, each having elements which may communicate with one another to share data between the graphic displays and the process modules.

Abstract: A valve actuator assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises a stator; an armature housing; and an adjustable spacer coupled between the stator and the armature housing, wherein the spacer yields at a controlled rate when an axial load is applied thereto. The adjustable spacer is positioned between the stator and the armature housing such that when an axial load is applied, the adjustable spacer compresses at a controlled rate, thereby allowing adjustment of the valve stroke. A system and method in accordance with the present invention is applicable to any valve which includes a housing containing a seat, an armature, a stator, and a mechanism that is capable of applying a load to the housing.

Abstract: A regenerative load that includes an input configured to draw a specified current and an output configured to provide an output voltage and current is described. The regenerative load configured to maintain the output voltage to cause the regenerative load to draw the specified current from the unit under test. The output of the regenerative load is provided back to the input of the unit under test. The input current or voltage can be AC, DC, or a combination of AC and DC. The output current or voltage can be AC, DC, or a combination of AC and DC. In one embodiment, a thermal barrier is provided between a test chamber and a load chamber to allow converters under test to be operated at a test temperature while the regenerative loads are operated at a desired operational temperature.

Abstract: A modular system of pressure pulsation dampeners for use in an air compressor system. A modular pulsation dampener system will include components of various configurations, materials and silencing characteristics. Components may be selected and interconnected to form a silencer having desired physical and pressure pulsation characteristics. The modular system can be utilized with compressed air systems having various configurations. Examples of components that may be included in a modular system include a pipe elbow, straight pipe sections, a flat metal plate with a hole in the center, a perforated tube and various acoustic materials.

Abstract: A system and method which allows third-parties to monitor company inventory via the Internet and World Wide Web (“web”) and automatically order needed items. The present invention also provides a forum through which resellers and customers may directly interact to resell surplus and used equipment. The present invention may also allow a third party to act as a broker, thereby assuring that both the equipment purchased is actually delivered, and that the seller is properly compensated.

Abstract: A system and method which allows third-parties to monitor company inventory via the Internet and World Wide Web (“web”) and automatically order needed items. The present invention also provides a forum through which resellers and customers may directly interact to resell surplus and used equipment. The present invention may also allow a third party to act as a broker, thereby assuring that both the equipment purchased is actually delivered, and that the seller is properly compensated.

Abstract: A configuration system for a process plant uses module class objects to assist in configuring, organizing and changing the control and display activities within the process plant. Each module class object generically models or represents a process entity, such as a unit, a piece of equipment, a control activity, etc., and may be used to create instances of the object, called module objects, which represent and are tied to specific equipment within the process plant. The module class objects may represent process entities of any desired scope, which means that a single module class object may be used to configure the control and display activities of process entities of any desired scope within the process plant, instead of just at a control module level. In particular, module class objects of a large scope may be used to configure large sections or portions of the process plant, which makes configuration of the process plant easier and less time consuming.

Abstract: A pulsation dampener comprising a first resonator tube having a first tube inlet in communication with a compressor outlet. The first resonator tube has an outlet located within a first resonator chamber. The first resonator tube has a length l1 that is equal to ?1/4 wherein ?1 is the acoustic component wavelength passing through the first resonator tube and the first chamber has a length l2 that is within 20% of the length l1.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to the field of electronic inventory control and tracking. In particular, the present invention relates to controlling and tracking livestock inventory items throughout the supply chain, from the birth of an animal to the sale of an animal product to the consumer. The inventive subject matter permits the development of animal product brands and/or marks, and provides a higher degree of source knowledge and producer accountability than has previously been available.