Abstract: The present invention is a method and process for educating, training, retraining, evaluating, testing, and certifying commercial truck drivers as certified trans-contractors, equipped with the knowledge and skills required by the industry to yield competent, safe, and successful drivers, helping to make the industry and the roads safer for all travelers. A 15-step process is described, which when followed, produces a certified trans-contractor equipped with the knowledge and tool set required to be a successful and competent commercial truck driver. A companion mobile device application, the Trans-contractor app, is configured to assist the candidate throughout the process, and equip the graduated Trans-contractor with industry tools designed to facilitate a successful career in the commercial transportation industry.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and process for educating, training, retraining, evaluating, testing, and certifying commercial truck drivers as certified trans-contractors, equipped with the knowledge and skills required by the industry to yield competent, safe, and successful drivers, helping to make the industry and the roads safer for all travelers. A 15-step process is described, which when followed, produces a certified trans-contractor equipped with the knowledge and tool set required to be a successful and competent commercial truck driver. A companion mobile device application, the Trans-contractor app, is configured to assist the candidate throughout the process, and equip the graduated Trans-contractor with industry tools designed to facilitate a successful career in the commercial transportation industry.

Abstract: Mechanisms for burst traffic smoothing for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) processing elements are provided. A dispatch queue management engine determines whether a received packet is a TCP or UDP packet. If the packet is a TCP packet, the packet is automatically added to the dispatch queue. If the packet is a UDP packet, a value for a drop function ƒ is generated and a random or pseudo-random number r is generated. If r has a predetermined relationship to ƒ, then the UDP packet is added to the dispatch queue, otherwise the UDP packet is discarded. The value for ƒ is based on the current dispatch queue load, the network quality, the retransmission rate, and the allowable drop rate. Thus, the determination as to whether to drop UDP packets or not is configurable by an administrator and also adaptable to the current network and dispatch queue conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for burst traffic smoothing for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) processing elements are provided. A dispatch queue management engine determines whether a received packet is a TCP or UDP packet. If the packet is a TCP packet, the packet is automatically added to the dispatch queue. If the packet is a UDP packet, a value for a drop function f is generated and a random or pseudo-random number r is generated. If r has a predetermined relationship to f, then the UDP packet is added to the dispatch queue, otherwise the UDP packet is discarded. The value for f is based on the current dispatch queue load, the network quality, the retransmission rate, and the allowable drop rate. Thus, the determination as to whether to drop UDP packets or not is configurable by an administrator and also adaptable to the current network and dispatch queue conditions.

Abstract: A roller cone bit has a ball retention system to secure the cones to the head. A radial ball race includes a ball way with a ball plug to keep the balls in the ball race. The ball plug is secured to the head by welding. Any residual stress in the weld region is alleviated by one of several solutions. Material may be selectively removed from the weld, the heat-affected zone, and/or the surrounding area to promote relaxation of residual stress. Alternatively, deflection is imposed and/or heat or vibration is applied to promote relaxation.