Abstract: A system for automated reconfiguration of a commodity distribution system is provided. The system includes a plurality of nodes located in the distribution system and a plurality of node controllers. The node controllers control respective nodes in accordance with a first or second operating mode to affect system reconfiguration in response to a fault condition, loading, system optimization, system expansion and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for automated reconfiguration of a commodity distribution system is provided. The method includes operating a plurality of nodes located in the distribution system and a plurality of node controllers. The node controllers control respective nodes in accordance with a first or second operating mode to affect system reconfiguration in response to a fault condition, loading, system optimization, system expansion and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system for automated reconfiguration of a commodity distribution system is provided. The system includes a plurality of nodes located in the distribution system and a plurality of node controllers. The node controllers control respective nodes in accordance with a first or second operating mode to affect system reconfiguration in response to a fault condition, loading, system optimization, system expansion and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A methodology and related system apparatus is provided to most efficiently and flexibly respond to abnormalities to reconfigure and restore service to end customers in commodity distribution systems to enhance the circuit reconfiguration in an electrical power distribution system. Methodology is also provided to appropriately allocate system resources of the distribution system to prevent the potential overloading of electrical power sources. In one illustrative arrangement, the methodology is characterized by resources at each node and communications of source allocation data or messages to other nodes to request and establish an appropriate allocation of system resources.

Abstract: A methodology and related system apparatus is provided to most efficiently and flexibly respond to abnormalities to reconfigure and restore service to end customers in commodity distribution systems to enhance circuit reconfiguration in an electrical power distribution system. Methodology is also provided to appropriately allocate system resources of the distribution system to prevent the potential overloading of electrical power sources. In one illustrative arrangement, the methodology is characterized by resources at each node and communications of source allocation data or messages to other nodes to request and establish an appropriate allocation of system resources.

Abstract: A system and method for performing friction stir welding of non-planar materials having high melting temperatures, wherein a process is provided for performing longitudinal and radial welds on objects such as pipes, flanges, tanks, and shrouds, and wherein an active or passive mandrel provides support for the friction stir welding process.

Abstract: An autonomous eclone (10) comprises a plurality of interface agents (15,20,25,30) operable to interact with a person; an expert system (35) operable to process a command originated by any of the agents (15,20,25,30); and a database (40) accessible by the expert system (35) and operable to store all available information associated with a user. The eclone (10) also comprises an input authenticator and classifier (45) operable to authenticate and classify the person; a command creator (50) operable to create the command based upon a request; an output action generator (55) operable to execute the command and relay a result to any of the agents (15,20,25,30); and an activity logger (60) operable to log the request and the result. The expert system (35) is essentially a collection of rules that define how the eclone (10) reacts to each request.

Abstract: A first communication network transfers a signaling message for a call to a second communication network. The signaling message indicates a first identifier that represents a connection through the first communication network to the second communication network. The second communication network processes the signaling message to select a second identifier. The first communication network transfers a user communication for the call to the second communication network. The user communication has a header indicating the first identifier. In response to the first identifier, the second communication network modifies the first identifier in the header to the second identifier. The second communication network transfers the user communication to a destination node in response to the second identifier in the header of the user communication.

Abstract: A probe for friction stir welding MMCs, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, as well as non-ferrous alloys, the probe including a shank, a shoulder, and a pin disposed through the shoulder and into the shank, wherein the pin and the shoulder at least include a coating comprised of a superabrasive material, the Din and shoulder being designed to reduce stress risers, disposing a collar around a portion of the shoulder and the shank to thereby prevent movement of the shoulder relative to the shank, and incorporating thermal management by providing a thermal flow barrier between the shoulder and the shank, and between the collar and the tool.

Abstract: A method of selecting a geometry for a friction stirring tool, said tool having a melting point that is higher than the workpiece material, wherein the tool is placed in motion against the workpiece to generate heat in the workpiece such that workpiece material is transported in surface features of the tool, and wherein surface features manage workpiece material flow around the tool, and wherein the tool can be used in friction stir processing, friction stir mixing, friction stir welding, and friction stir spot welding of high melting temperature materials or high softening temperature materials.

Abstract: A friction stir welding anvil and method of producing a friction stir welding anvil that precludes diffusion or mechanical bonding of the anvil to the work pieces are provided. The alternatives for producing such an anvil comprise coating the anvil with diffusion barriers such as oxides, nitrides, intermetallics, and/or refractory metals; manufacturing an anvil either completely or partially from the same; or placing a coating of such materials in the form of a thin sheet or a powder between the anvil and the work pieces. The anvil disclosed herein exhibits high strength and hardness even at elevated temperatures, such as those greater than 800° C., so as to prevent the anvil from mechanically or diffusion bonding to the work pieces and so as to minimize, or eliminate altogether, anvil deformation.

Abstract: An autonomous eclone (10) comprises a plurality of interface agents (15,20,25,30) operable to interact with a person; an expert system (35) operable to process a command originated by any of the agents (15,20,25,30); and a database (40) accessible by the expert system (35) and operable to store all available information associated with a user. The eclone (10) also comprises an input authenticator and classifier (45) operable to authenticate and classify the person; a command creator (50) operable to create the command based upon a request; an output action generator (55) operable to execute the command and relay a result to any of the agents (15,20,25,30); and an activity logger (60) operable to log the request and the result. The expert system (35) is essentially a collection of rules that define how the eclone (10) reacts to each request.

Abstract: In a communication network, circuit-based switches transfer signaling that indicates first circuit-based connections and transfer user communications over the first circuit-based connections. A signaling processor processes the signaling to select header information and second circuit-based connections. The signaling processor transfers control messages indicating the header information and the second circuit-based connections. A first interworking system receives the control messages and the user communications, and in response, transfers the user communications in packets having the header information. A second interworking system receives the control messages and the packets, and in response, transfers the user communications over the second circuit based connections to a plurality of other communication networks.

Abstract: A methodology and related system apparatus is provided for using and coordinating the use of information conveyed over communications to most efficiently and flexibly respond to abnormalities to reconfigure and restore service to end customers in commodity distribution systems in a manner to enhance the reconfigurability of the distribution system, e.g. circuit reconfiguration in an electrical power distribution system. Methodology is also provided to appropriately allocate system resources of the distribution system when so desired, e.g. to prevent the potential overloading of electrical power sources. In one illustrative arrangement, the methodology is characterized by resources at each node and communications of source allocation data or messages to other nodes to request and establish an appropriate allocation of system resources.

Abstract: Signaling processors process signaling to transfer first and second control messages indicating interworking information. Interworking units receive the control messages and user communications, and in response, convert the user communications into packet communications having the interworking information in headers. Communication devices receive the packet communications from the interworking units and route the packet communications over optical communication paths based on the interworking information in the headers. The communication devices receive the routed packet communications and transfer the routed packet communications to the interworking units. The interworking units receive the second control messages and the routed packet communications, and in response, to convert the routed packet communications into the user communications and transfer the user communications.

Abstract: A signaling processor processes a first message to select a TDM connection for the call and transfers a second message indicating the selected TDM connection. The interworking unit receives the second message and user communications for the call in a packet format, converts the user communications from the packet format to a TDM format, and transfers the user communications in the TDM format over the selected TDM connection. The interworking unit monitors the user communications for a trigger after call set-up and during the call, and if the trigger is detected, transfers a third message indicating the trigger. The signaling processor receives and processes the third message to select routing information for routing the call to a service platform and transfers a fourth message indicating the selected routing information to route the call to the service platform.

Abstract: A communication system that comprises call processors, interworking units, and a control system handles a plurality of calls. The call processors process signaling messages for the calls, and in response, transfer control messages for the calls and transfer data messages for the calls. The interworking units receive the control messages and user communications for the calls and interwork the user communications between a first communication format and a second communication format in response to the control messages. The control system receives and processes the data messages for the calls to maintain an active call database having call data for active ones of the calls. The control system receives a query, and in response, processes the active call database to identify one of the active calls that satisfies the query.

Abstract: A method comprising a bulk processing technique for joining different metals and alloys using friction stir welding, wherein a block of a first material has at least two apertures disposed therein, wherein at least a first tube and a second tube are disposed in the at least two apertures, wherein friction stir welding is performed to join the block, the first tube and the second tube together in a solid state form, and the resulting workpiece is then machined to produce the completed joint.

Abstract: A control system and method of use that enables friction stir welding of metal matrix composites, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys when using a superabrasive tool, wherein the control system and method enables control of various operational aspects of a friction stir welding mill in order to make it possible to perform friction stir welding that is repeatable, reliable, and results in a superior finished workpiece.

Abstract: A system and method for performing friction stir welding of non-planar materials having high melting temperatures, wherein a process is provided for performing longitudinal and radial welds on objects such as pipes, flanges, tanks, and shrouds, and wherein an active or passive mandrel provides support for the friction stir welding process.