Abstract: A vortex detector comprises a generally cylindrical housing or body that defines a flow passage extending from an upstream end to a downstream end. A vortex generator disposed diametrically across the cylindrical housing near the upstream end of the cylindrical housing and oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the flow passage generates a vortex street in a fluid flowing in the flow passage. The vortex street created by the vortex generator impacts a vane located downstream of the vortex generator and connected at one end to the cylindrical housing substantially spans the flow passage diametrically and substantially parallel to the vortex generator such that vibrations or motion are generated in the vane. The end of the vane connected to the housing includes an area of reduced thickness that acts as a resilient, elastic hinged joint for the motion of the vane.

Abstract: A conditional lottery ticket system is disclosed to process conditional lottery ticket transactions, including the acceptance and validation of play entries. The conditional lottery ticket system preferably includes a central lottery server and one or more remote lottery terminals. The conditional lottery ticket system permits a player to purchase conditional lottery tickets that are not activated until one or more player-defined activation conditions are satisfied. The player-defined activation conditions may include a minimum lottery jackpot, a particular future date of activation, or the occurrence of a particular external event. Conditional lottery tickets may be purchased (i) individually and activated the next time the player-specified activation conditions are satisfied; (ii) on a subscription basis for a predefined number of times when the player-specified activation conditions are satisfied; or (iii) on a perpetual subscription basis, until the subscription is cancelled.

Abstract: A gaming device and method for controlling operating the gaming device is disclosed. The gaming device initiates a paid play, and determines an outcome of the play. The outcome is visually displayed using at least two graphical displays. The graphical displays comprise a first and second visual continuum, without discrete reel stops. The outcome is represented by the relative positions of the first and second visual continuums. The outcome may also be based on the relative position of the first and second continuums to a payline. A payout corresponding to the outcome is determined by the device, and is awarded to the player.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session costing a flat rate price. The flat rate play session spans multiple plays on the gaming device over a pre-established duration. The gaming device identifies price parameters and determines the flat rate price of playing the gaming device based on those price parameters. In one embodiment, identifying price parameters includes receiving player selected price parameters. In another embodiment, price parameters further incorporate operator selected price parameters. Should the player decide to pay the flat rate price, the player simply deposits the necessary funds into the gaming device or makes a credit account available for the gaming device to debit. Once the player initiates play, the gaming device tracks the duration remaining in the flat rate play session and stops the play when the given period has elapsed.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing the deposition and build-up of chains of polymerized TEOS molecules in the pipes downstream from a reaction furnace in a semiconductor manufacturing process includes an annular nozzle assembly positioned inside the pipes such that a plenum is formed between the annular nozzle assembly and the pipes and such that the annular nozzle forms a hollow tubular conduit for conducting effluent from the reaction furnace. The annular nozzle assembly preferably includes three hollow and generally cylindrical sections, an upstream collar, a downstream spacer ring, and a middle section(s) positioned between the upstream collar and the downstream spacer ring. The annular nozzle assembly is placed within the pipes downstream of the reaction furnace during operation and is modularly constructed so that the length of the annular nozzle assembly can be varied, depending on the length of the downstream pipes from the reaction furnace.

Abstract: The liquid cooled trap for effectively and efficiently collecting condensable vapor in a chemical vapor reaction system includes two stages. The first stage includes an entrance area to the trap that is purposely designed to be large in space and a very poor heat exchanger in order to avoid condensation and resulting solid deposits that could clog the entrance port to the trap. The second stage comprises a better heat exchanger to spread the condensation and deposits efficiently over a larger surface area and a longer flow path. The second stage is a very efficient heat exchanger to clean up and remove whatever small amount of the condensable vapor remains after the first stage of the trap. The second stage includes cooling coil tubes and cooling cones or fins to increase the overall efficiency of the trap be increasing the interior surfaces upon which the flowing condensable vapor can condense, while not significantly reducing the flow conductance of the trap.

Abstract: A capacitor assembled in the form of a lightweight structural panel and including isolated capacitor cells. Each of the cells includes a honeycomb structure wherein each film-like layer in the honeycomb structure is an electrode stack. Each of the electrode stacks includes an elongated cathode, an elongated separator, and an elongated anode. The separator is wetted with an electrolyte solution to enhance the dielectric properties of the separator. Alternatively, the capacitor cell could be composed of a foam-like cathode, foam-like separator, and a foam-like anode. With either embodiment, the invention achieves the storage of electrostatic energy in a structure with a multitude of voids defined therein so that the structure is relatively stiff, yet light weight.

Abstract: A shaker table (10) for testing and quality control of devices attached to the table is shown. The mounting table has pneumatic exciters attached (50) thereto. The exciters (50) are attached to the mounting table (20) with a mounting bolt (128) and spacers (132, 132') that comprise an insulating material to inhibit thermal transfer between the device and the exciters (50) and between the mounting table (20) and the exciters (50). The mounting table (20) provides uniform distribution of forces applied by the pneumatic exciters (50). The forces are evenly distributed in all directions from the impact of the exciters on the mounting table. The mounting table (20) is supported on a foundation (2) by adjustable supports (4). The exciters are supplied with pressurized air from a source (12) through an airline (14).

Abstract: A drying device for warming or drying boots, gloves, mittens, and other articles has a pair of flexible hoses attached to an air blower and manifold. The remaining end of each hose is inserted into a boot or glove to facilitate warming or drying the inside of the boot or glove when air is forced through the flexible hoses by the air blower and the duct assembly. The length of the each flexible hose is independently adjustable so that the invention can be used with a variety of boot and glove sizes. Optional nozzles at the ends of the flexible hoses direct the air being blown into the boots, gloves, mittens, or other articles toward specific areas of the boots, gloves, mittens, or other articles. A spring clip is positioned inside the flexible hoses to help direct the flexible hoses into the boots or gloves to be dried and to keep the boots, gloves, mittens, or other articles held together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for increasing the coherency of a thin tissue section cut from a tissue sample to obtain a resulting increase in throughput of the tissue section actually transferred onto a slide for pathological evaluation. The apparatus includes an outer housing having an open end. Sealed vessel means disposed within the outer housing releasably contains ammonium hydroxide. Applicator means in fluid communication with the open end receives ammonium hydroxide released from the vessel means and is used to apply the ammonium hydroxide to an exposed surface of a tissue sample prior to cutting a tissue section from the sample. The method includes swabbing the exposed surface of the tissue sample with the applicator means for approximately ten seconds.