Abstract: A ductile iron composition including, by weight: about 3.1% to about 3.6% C; about 3.5% to about 4.0% Si; about 0.035% to about 0.050% Mg; about 0.001% to about 0.004% Ce; up to about 0.005% Sb; about 0.008% to about 0.016% S; up to about 0.04% P; up to about 0.3% Mn; and balance iron and incidental impurities; The ductile iron composition includes a ratio of Sb/Ce greater than or equal to about 1.25, has a ferritic microstructure and graphite nodules, and greater than about 65% of the graphite nodules having a highly spherical geometry. A method and apparatus for forming a ductile iron composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of casting a low alloy steel using a mold is disclosed. The method includes receiving the mold having a foam pattern disposed within a sand casing. The received foam pattern is coated with a permeable refractory coating and is disposed between compacted sand and the sand casing. The method further includes pouring a molten metal comprising a low alloy steel having a carbon content in a range from about 0.1 to about 0.4 percent into the mold so as to vaporize the foam pattern and remove gasification products through the permeable refractory coating, to form a low alloy steel casting. Further, the method includes removing the low alloy steel casting from the mold.

Abstract: A ductile iron composition including, by weight: about 3.1% to about 3.6% C; about 3.5% to about 4.0% Si; about 0.035% to about 0.050% Mg; about 0.001% to about 0.004% Ce; up to about 0.005% Sb; about 0.008% to about 0.016% S; up to about 0.04% P; up to about 0.3% Mn; and balance iron and incidental impurities; The ductile iron composition includes a ratio of Sb/Ce greater than or equal to about 1.25, has a ferritic microstructure and graphite nodules, and greater than about 65% of the graphite nodules having a highly spherical geometry. A method and apparatus for forming a ductile iron composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: Refractory slurry for use in coating a foam cluster to provide a foam pattern for lost foam casting is provided. The slurry includes a catalyst capable of catalyzing reactions for vaporizing the foam cluster. A foam pattern with a refractory coating including the catalyst and processes for preparing the foam pattern and using the foam pattern are also provided.

Abstract: A method of casting a low alloy steel using a mold is disclosed. The method includes receiving the mold having a foam pattern disposed within a sand casing. The received foam pattern is coated with a permeable refractory coating and is disposed between compacted sand and the sand casing. The method further includes pouring a molten metal comprising a low alloy steel having a carbon content in a range from about 0.1 to about 0.4 percent into the mold so as to vaporize the foam pattern and remove gasification products through the permeable refractory coating, to form a low alloy steel casting. Further, the method includes removing the low alloy steel casting from the mold.

Abstract: Various turbine component preforms are disclosed having near-net shape features. In one embodiment, a turbine casing preform is disclosed. The turbine casing preform includes an as-cast body comprising a partially cylindrical wall section of a turbine casing, the wall section having an inner surface and an outer surface. The turbine casing preform also includes a circumferentially-extending vane slot formed in the wall section on the inner surface. In another embodiment, a turbine nozzle diaphragm preform is disclosed. The turbine nozzle diaphragm preform includes an as-cast body comprising a partially-cylindrical wall section of a turbine nozzle diaphragm having an inner surface and an outer surface. The turbine nozzle diaphragm preform also includes an as-cast, circumferentially-extending seal member projecting from one of the outer surface or inner surface.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for caching data in a cellular network is provided. Information from a cellular network regarding location, speed, direction of travel, and bandwidth for a user can be used to determine how much data should be cached for the user. More specifically, the time period for how long a user will be in a cell of a cellular network can be calculated using information received from the cellular network. The calculated time period can be used to calculate how much data will be used by a user for the calculated time period with only the amount of data needed for the time period being cached.

Abstract: Refractory slurry for use in coating a foam cluster to provide a foam pattern for lost foam casting is provided. The slurry includes a catalyst capable of catalyzing reactions for vaporizing the foam cluster. A foam pattern with a refractory coating including the catalyst and processes for preparing the foam pattern and using the foam pattern are also provided.

Abstract: Various turbine component preforms are disclosed having near-net shape features. In one embodiment, a turbine casing preform is disclosed. The turbine casing preform includes an as-cast body comprising a partially cylindrical wall section of a turbine casing, the wall section having an inner surface and an outer surface. The turbine casing preform also includes a circumferentially-extending vane slot formed in the wall section on the inner surface. In another embodiment, a turbine nozzle diaphragm preform is disclosed. The turbine nozzle diaphragm preform includes an as-cast body comprising a partially-cylindrical wall section of a turbine nozzle diaphragm having an inner surface and an outer surface. The turbine nozzle diaphragm preform also includes an as-cast, circumferentially-extending seal member projecting from one of the outer surface or inner surface.

Abstract: In accordance with an improved call routing methodology, a call is routed within a communication network by reference to one or more databases. In response to receiving a local number portability request at a service control point (SCP), the SCP accesses one or more databases to determine whether or not to apply custom call routing to a call directed to a called telecommunications number. In response to determining to apply custom call routing to the call, the SCP performs at least a second access to the one or more databases to obtain a local routing number (LRN) associated within the one or more databases with a calling telecommunications number associated with the call. The SCP thereafter provides the LRN to a service switch point in the communication network so that the call is routed to a called station associated with the called telecommunications number.

Abstract: A method of scheduling a request for a plurality of Web services can include providing service activation rules. Each service activation rule can specify a trigger condition and a state condition for causing a watcher to invoke a particular Web service. The method also can include receiving an event indicating a change in a common memory, wherein each event specifies trigger information, comparing the trigger conditions of the service activation rules with the trigger information of the event, adding the service activation rules that match the event to a trigger list, and comparing the state conditions of service activation rules in the trigger list with a state of the common memory. The service activation rules of the trigger list that match the state of the common memory can be selected thereby causing the invocation of at least one watcher and corresponding Web service.

Abstract: A method for providing communications network security can include receiving a round-trip network latency for a client specifying an open port duration. A port can be opened to receive a request from the client. The port can be closed when an amount of time at least as great as the open port duration has passed since the opening of the port.

Abstract: In accordance with an improved call routing methodology, a call is routed within a communication network by reference to one or more databases. In response to receiving a local number portability request at a service control point (SCP), the SCP accesses one or more databases to determine whether or not to apply custom call routing to a call directed to a called telecommunications number. In response to determining to apply custom call routing to the call, the SCP performs at least a second access to the one or more databases to obtain a local routing number (LRN) associated within the one or more databases with a calling telecommunications number associated with the call. The SCP thereafter provides the LRN to a service switch point in the communication network so that the call is routed to a called station associated with the called telecommunications number.

Abstract: In accordance with an improved call routing methodology, a call is routed within a communication network by reference to one or more databases. In response to receiving a local number portability request at a service control point (SCP), the SCP accesses one or more databases to determine whether or not to apply custom call routing to a call directed to a called telecommunications number. In response to determining to apply custom call routing to the call, the SCP performs at least a second access to the one or more databases to obtain a local routing number (LRN) associated within the one or more databases with a calling telecommunications number associated with the call. The SCP thereafter provides the LRN to a service switch point in the communication network so that the call is routed to a called station associated with the called telecommunications number.

Abstract: A gateway serving as an interface between a mobile network and a wireless network can be configured to send a signal strength indicator to the mobile network thereby causing the mobile network to recognize the gateway as a valid path for handing off a call. The wireless network can be configured according to one of the 802.11 wireless communications protocols. The gateway can route the call from the mobile network to a wireless access point of the wireless network via a packet-switched network, such that the call is conducted via a wireless communications link with the wireless access point.

Abstract: A method for supporting an application can include the step of receiving a problem indication relating to the application. The method can also identify a host within a grid environment, wherein a host can be a software object used by said application. A ghost agent can be associated with the host. The actions of the host can be replicated for use by the ghost agent. Data relating to the replicated actions can be recorded using the ghost agent. The indicated problem can be responded to, where the response can be based at least in part upon the recorded data.

Abstract: A method for providing communications network security can include receiving a round-trip network latency for a client specifying an open port duration. A port can be opened to receive a request from the client. The port can be closed when an amount of time at least as great as the open port duration has passed since the opening of the port.

Abstract: In a telephony call management system, a method of distributing calls among a plurality of packet-based load balancing resources can include receiving over a telephony channel a call request specifying call information, comparing the call information with selection criteria to select one of the plurality of packet-based load balancing resources, and querying the selected packet-based load balancing resource to resolve the call request. A response from the selected packet-based load balancing resource can be received which indicates whether the call request can be resolved.

Abstract: A system and method for a proxy service to provide telephone conferencing services and personal telephony services. Users can participate in the conference by connecting through different types of networks using a device having one or more types of communication lines connected to the proxy service. A primary user can request the proxy to call each one of the users and establish the conference. The primary user may accomplish this through a data line using data requests or though a voice line using voice requests. Typically, the primary user provides a telephone number for each user. The primary user can also provide with specific times of when calls should be placed, identification information for each user, the type of conference, and other conference parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for a proxy service to provide telephone conferencing services and personal telephony services. Users can participate in the conference by connecting through different types of networks using a device having one or more types of communication lines connected to the proxy service. A primary user can request the proxy to call each one of the users and establish the conference. The primary user may accomplish this through a data line using data requests or though a voice line using voice requests. Typically, the primary user provides a telephone number for each user. The primary user can also provide with specific times of when calls should be placed, identification information for each user, the type of conference, and other conference parameters.