Abstract: An information technology portfolio is managed using assessments that are based on a set of criteria. Each of the criteria may have one or more attributes, and may be different in priority from one another. The criteria are preferably directed toward evaluating, ensuring, and/or improving acceptance of the products in the portfolio by their target marketplace or market segment. Assessments are performed, using the criteria and attributes, and results of these assessments may be used when making various decisions regarding the products in the portfolio.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing an information technology portfolio using assessments that are based on a set of criteria. Each of the criteria may have one or more attributes, and may be different in priority from one another. The criteria are preferably directed toward evaluating, ensuring, and/or improving acceptance of the products in the portfolio by their target marketplace or market segment. Assessments are performed, using the criteria and attributes, and results of these assessments may be used when making various decisions regarding the products in the portfolio.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for designing information technology products by influencing design of a product using a set of criteria. Each of the criteria may have one or more attributes, and may be different in priority from one another. The criteria are preferably directed toward ensuring, and/or improving, the product's acceptance by its target marketplace or market segment. In preferred embodiments, information that defines “best practices” for various ones of the criteria is gathered during a product assessment, and this information provided to product teams to be used in product design decisions.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for assessing information technology products by comparing a product (including a product still under development) to a set of criteria. Each of the criteria may have one or more attributes, and may be different in priority from one another. The comparison is preferably directed toward ensuring, and/or improving, the product's acceptance by its target marketplace or market segment. In preferred embodiments, a product assessment score is created as a result of the comparison. When necessary, a set of recommendations for product changes is also created. The criteria/attributes may be prioritized in view of their importance to the target marketplace or market segment, and the assessment results are preferably provided to product teams to influence the importance of product planning and/or development efforts.

Abstract: An improvement to a hammermill extends the life of the hammers by providing regular and periodic reversal of the rotor of the hammermill without the necessity of disassembly of the hammermill or the necessity of moving or operating levers, screws or other devices in order to reposition the internal apparatus so that the mill can be reversed.The improvement consists of an internal apparatus attached to the hammermill at the inlet to the hammermill. The internal apparatus is formed of a vertical plate extending adjacent the inlet and attached to a mounting plate. The mounting plate is bolted to the hammermill. The vertical plate extends across the width of the hammermill. A plurality of triangular reenforcement plates are welded between the vertical plate and the mounting plate. The mounting plate can have its free edge bent toward the inner wall of the hammermill to insure a tight seal with the inner wall.

Abstract: An impeller for metering material from an input to an output is mounted on a central shaft. The impeller is formed by a hub, a disc formed with the central hub and extending normal to the rotational axis of the hub. A plurality of spaced first vanes is formed with the disc and extends from the periphery of the disc to the hub. A second plurality of spaced vanes is attached intermediate the first vanes to the disc and extends from the periphery of the disc to a location intermediate the periphery and the hub. The back of the disc has a plurality of slots which will mate with both the first and second vanes of a preceding impeller. An adapter disc is also provided which has a plurality of radial slots on both surfaces of the disc which mate with the vanes of the previously described impeller.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing the opening for one or more access doors to rotating machinery which is confined in some form of enclosure. A shaft from the machinery extends through the enclosure and has a disc attached to it. The disc has one or more radial holes drilled in the periphery to permit the entry of a release rod, but only when the machinery is stopped. The release rod is attached to a pivoted rod which is moved into and out of locking engagement with the doors when the release rod can enter the periphery hole. The pivotal rod contains two locks each for one or more doors. One lock prevents the door from being rotated toward the rod and the second lock prevents the door from being rotated away from the rod unless the pivotal rod is pivoted to release the locks.