Abstract: A method, system and program product for optimizing communication and processing functions between disparate applications. The method includes sending, from a contemporary application to a routing application, a condensed request message having a reduced data size for optimizing communication. Further, the method includes reformatting, by the routing application, the condensed request message received into a reformatted request message having an expanded format, the reformatted request message being forwarded to a legacy application. The method includes sending by the legacy application a response message having a legacy format, which response message is received and reformatted by the routing application into a contemporary format that is sent to a messaging application.

Abstract: A system for providing a fee associated with a location for an ordered object. In response to receiving an order for an object from a customer that includes a location for where to ship the object, it is determined whether the location requires a fee for the object. The fee for the object for the location is requested from a fee service in response to determining that the location does require the fee for the object. The fee for the object for the location is received from the fee service. The fee for the object for the location is added to a customer price and a first customer response. Then, the first customer response that includes the fee for the object for the location is sent to the customer.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed in a computer system for tracking inventory values. Multiple physical storage locations, within a plant, are defined where inventory items can be stored. An indication that an inventory item is being physically moved from a first storage location to a second storage location is received. In response to the receipt of the indication, a financial value of the inventory item is determined and an indication is provided that the financial value was transferred from the first physical storage location to the second physical storage location, wherein the financial value of the inventory item is tracked as the inventory item is physically moved within the plant.

Abstract: A fire suppression sprinkler system convertible between a wet and a dry mode of operation is disclosed. The system features a field convertible valve having a bypass loop with a bypass valve for selectively configuring the valve for wet or dry mode operation. For dry mode operation, the bypass valve is open. The field convertible valve also has a system actuator, a gas control valve and a water supply shut-off valve which are open in the dry mode. In the wet mode of operation, the bypass valve is open and the gas control and water supply shut-off valves are closed. The field convertible valve operates in a latch mode controlled by the system actuator in the dry mode, and as a flapper valve in the wet mode of operation. A method of converting the mode of operation of the sprinkler system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for translating a stock keeping unit (SKU) hierarchy in a customer order to a type-model-feature (TMF) structure in a vendor's order fulfillment system. A translation table relating the SKU hierarchy and TMF structure is defined. The table structure includes a hierarchy of configurable features and special manufacturing instructions. The SKU hierarchy includes a configurable part and configurable options. An initial order for a product includes the SKU hierarchy. The multi-value characteristic for carrying multiple values in a free format is defined for each configurable product type and populated with configurable option(s) included in the order. Using the translation table, SKU values of the configurable part and configurable option(s) are translated into an instance of the TMF structure. A second order for the product is created that includes the instance of the TMF structure.

Abstract: A fire suppression system is disclosed. The system includes a gaseous extinguishing agent and a liquid extinguishing agent. At least one emitter is in fluid communication with the liquid and gas. The emitter is used to establish a gas stream, atomize and entrain the liquid into the gas stream and discharge the resulting liquid-gas stream onto the fire. A method of operating the system is also disclosed. The method includes establishing a gas stream having first and second shock fronts using the emitter, atomizing and entraining the liquid with the gas at one of the two shock fronts to form a liquid-gas stream, and discharging the stream onto the fire. The method also includes creating a plurality of shock diamonds in the liquid-gas stream discharged from the emitter.

Abstract: A device for converting a valve to a supervised valve is disclosed. The device includes a housing in which a coupling member is movably mounted. The coupling member is engageable with the actuating member of the valve when the device is mounted on the valve. A sensor is also mounted within the housing. A movable carriage is mounted on the coupling member. The carriage moves between different positions depending upon the state of the valve as open or closed. The carriage interacts with the sensor to produce a signal indicative of the state of the valve.

Abstract: A sprinkler system and a method for mitigating scaling, microbiological influenced corrosion and oxidative corrosion are disclosed. The system includes a piping network in fluid communication with a source of pressurized water and an air pump. The network is vented to the ambient. The air pump moves initially dry ambient air through the system, either by maintaining a negative or a positive air pressure within the network. The dry air absorbs residual water within the network and exhausts it to the ambient. Rate of air flow through the system is controlled by restrictor elements such as orifices, throttle valves or venturies within the piping network.

Abstract: A sprinkler system and a method for mitigating scaling, microbiological influenced corrosion and oxidative corrosion are disclosed. The system includes a piping network in fluid communication with a source of pressurized water and an air pump. The network is vented to the ambient. The air pump moves initially dry ambient air through the system, either by maintaining a negative or a positive air pressure within the network. The dry air absorbs residual water within the network and exhausts it to the ambient. Rate of air flow through the system is controlled by restrictor elements such as orifices, throttle valves or venturies within the piping network.

Abstract: A sprinkler for fire suppression systems that produces an orthogonal spray pattern is disclosed. The sprinkler has an exit orifice with a non-round perimeter and a deflector plate having a non-round perimeter. The shape of the deflector plate perimeter may be matched to that of the exit orifice perimeter. Orifice perimeters may be square, rectangular, formed of lobes or interconnected curves, and there may be multiple orifices in the sprinkler.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed having an inlet duct aligned with an outlet duct and an angularly oriented elliptical seat positioned between them. A pressure chamber faces the seat. A pivoting valve closure member is positioned between the pressure chamber and the seat. An asymmetrical rolling diaphragm is attached to the closure member and defines part of the pressure chamber. A seat engaging surface on the side of the closure member opposite the pressure chamber is sealingly engageable with the seat to close the valve. The valve closure member is pivoted into the closed positioned by pressurizing the pressure chamber. The valve remains closed against hydraulic pressure in the inlet duct. The valve is permitted to open by de-pressurizing the pressure chamber, allowing the closure member to pivot out of engagement with the seat. Fluid may then flow from the inlet duct to the outlet duct.

Abstract: A multi-function fluid flow control device is disclosed. A body houses a filter screen, a check valve and an orifice plate mounted on a frame which is removable from the body as a unit through an opening in the body sealed by a removable plug. The orifice plate is removable from the frame to permit different sized orifices to be fitted. An inlet in the body conducts pressurized fluid through the filter screen, through the check valve and then out through an outlet in the body, both the inlet and outlet being adapted for convenient connection to a piping network. An opening in the body in fluid communication with the inlet and sealable by a removable plug allows the screen to be flushed for removal of debris.

Abstract: An accelerator for venting a pressurized gas source to the ambient is disclosed. The accelerator includes a first gas compartment connected to the pressurized gas source. A second gas compartment is connected to the first gas compartment through a one-way valve allowing gas to pass from the first gas compartment to the second gas compartment. A restrictor orifice allows gas to pass between the first and the second gas compartments at a predetermined rate. A valve member in the first gas compartment is normally in the closed position and moves to the open position in response to a pressure drop of the pressurized gas source causing a pressure differential between the first and second gas compartments, thereby venting the pressurized gas source to the ambient through the valve member in the first gas compartment.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic actuator having AND gate logic characteristics is disclosed. The actuator has three chambers each divided into two chamber portions by respective flexible diaphragms. One of the diaphragms acts as a valve closing member and controls the flow of a pressurized fluid through the actuator to actuate an associated device when fluid flow is permitted. The other two diaphragms are in mechanical contact with one another and in hydraulic communication with the one diaphragm and thereby control its motion, keeping it normally closed and preventing fluid flow but allowing it to move into an open position permitting fluid flow and actuation of the associated device only when each of the two diaphragms are subject to separate, concurrent drops in pressure which allows both of them to deflect away from the one diaphragm. One of the pressure drops is triggered pneumatically, the other electrically.

Abstract: An accelerator for venting a pressurized gas source to the ambient is disclosed. The accelerator includes a first gas compartment connected to the pressurized gas source. A second gas compartment is connected to the first gas compartment through a one-way valve allowing gas to pass from the first gas compartment to the second gas compartment. A restrictor orifice allows gas to pass between the first and the second gas compartments at a predetermined rate. A valve member in the first gas compartment is normally in the closed position and moves to the open position in response to a pressure drop of the pressurized gas source causing a pressure differential between the first and second gas compartments, thereby venting the pressurized gas source to the ambient through the valve member in the first gas compartment.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic actuator having AND gate logic characteristics is disclosed. The actuator has three chambers each divided into two chamber portions by respective flexible diaphragms. One of the diaphragms acts as a valve closing member and controls the flow of a pressurized fluid through the actuator to actuate an associated device when fluid flow is permitted. The other two diaphragms are in mechanical contact with one another and in hydraulic communication with the one diaphragm and thereby control its motion, keeping it normally closed and preventing fluid flow but allowing it to move into an open position permitting fluid flow and actuation of the associated device only when each of the two diaphragms are subject to separate, concurrent drops in pressure which allows both of them to deflect away from the one diaphragm. One of the pressure drops is triggered pneumatically, the other electrically.

Abstract: Novel pharmaceutical suspensions comprising a pharmaceutically active ingredient suspended in aqueous media with a suspending agent comprising attrited microcrystalline cellulose coprocessed and at least partially surface coated with a calcium sodium alginate salt complex barrier dispersant and readily dispersible and hydratable dry formulations thereof are described and exemplified.

Abstract: Formulations of chewable pharmaceutical tablets for delivery of prescription pharmaceutical actives, non-prescription pharmaceutical actives, or over-the-counter actives comprise as an excipient an aggregate of coprocessed microcrystalline cellulose and a galaotomannan. Addition of these excipients imparts improved smell, taste, texture, and mouthfeel to the finished product.

Abstract: A modular valve field convertible between a wet and dry configuration including a valve body and a passage within the valve body for allowing fluid to flow therethrough. A valve seat and clapper are positioned within the valve body. The clapper is allowed to pivot between a first position wherein the clapper is sealingly engaged with the valve seat and a second position wherein the clapper is spaced from the valve seat to allow fluid to flow through the valve. The operator controls the position of the clapper with respect to the valve seat. An operator securely retains the clapper in the first position in a first mode of operation and allows the clapper to freely move between the first and second positions in a second mode of operation. A controller governs the position of the clapper with respect to the valve seat when the operator is in the second mode of operation.

Abstract: A modular valve field convertible between a wet and dry configuration including a valve body and a passage within the valve body for allowing fluid to flow therethrough. A valve seat and clapper are positioned within the valve body. The clapper is allowed to pivot between a first position wherein the clapper is sealingly engaged with the valve seat and a second position wherein the clapper is spaced from the valve seat to allow fluid to flow through the valve. The operator controls the position of the clapper with respect to the valve seat. An operator securely retains the clapper in the first position in a first mode of operation and allows the clapper to freely move between the first and second positions in a second mode of operation. A controller governs the position of the clapper with respect to the valve seat when the operator is in the second mode of operation.