Abstract: An engine component for a gas turbine engine generating hot combustion gas flow is provided. The engine component can include a substrate constructed from a CMC material and having a hot surface facing the hot combustion gas flow and a cooling surface facing a cooling fluid flow. The substrate defines a film hole extending through the substrate and having an inlet provided on the cooling surface, an outlet provided on the hot surface, and a passage connecting the inlet and the outlet. The engine component also includes a flow conditioning structure provided upstream of the outlet on the hot surface. The flow conditioning structure can include a ridge extending from the hot surface.

Abstract: A wagering playing card game is played by: a dealer providing a set of playing cards; the dealer accepting at least one wager at a player position on an underlying playing card game; the dealer providing a first subset of exactly three random playing cards from the set of playing cards to a player position and dealer position; the dealer evaluates each player hand against the dealer hand as follows: a) a player position hand having all three cards with a rank below a predetermined rank automatically loses; b) a highest rank card from each player hand and the dealer hand play a game of war as a first sub-game, with the highest rank winning; c) a second highest rank card from each player hand and the dealer hand play a game of war as a second sub-game, with the highest rank winning; d) any ties void a sub-game.

Abstract: A pig launcher/receiver includes a fluid distribution grid arranged above a floor of the pig launcher/receiver's barrel to define a fluid chamber between the floor and the fluid distribution grid. The distribution grid has a plurality of ports arranged to form jets that discharge at least a portion of the fluid which enters the fluid chamber. A predetermined number of the ports are inclined relative to vertical and in a direction opposite a closure door of the barrel. The fluid distribution grid, which is preferably semi-circular shaped, can be a permanent weldment, bolted on, or removable. When used in launching a pig, the ports provide a differential pressure that lifts the pig and overcomes friction as the pig moves forward. Because a number of the ports are blocked by the sealing elements (cup or disc) of the pipeline pig, the number of pigs residing in the launcher/receiver can be determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing a casino wagering game using a processor to determine random event outcomes by: the processor recognizing selection of individual player selections of individual sub-outcomes collectively forming a total player selection set; the processor providing a total selection outcome of a final set of symbols randomly selected by the processor from a total symbol set of individual outcomes; the individual total player selection set totaling fewer symbols than the total symbol set of individual outcomes; a player input system enabling player wagers to be selected from among multiple total selection outcomes to be selected by the processor from among multiple available sets of total selection outcomes; the processor providing differing paytables dependent upon numbers of symbols provided by the processor with respect to each total selection outcome provided by the processor from among the multiple available sets of total outcome selections.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cookware detection are provided. One example system includes a vision sensor positioned so as to collect imagery depicting a cooktop. The system includes one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include obtaining a frame of imagery depicting the cooktop and using a classifier to classify the frame of imagery as either depicting cookware or not depicting cookware. When the frame is classified as depicting cookware, the operations include performing one or more operations in response to the detected cookware.

Abstract: A roulette gaming system and method has: A) a random outcome generator capable of providing an outcome in a single round of play; B) the random outcome generator configured to determine a single outcome from 73, 74, 75 or 76 potential outcomes consisting of at least one set of 36 numbers, the at least one set having different numbers from 1 to 36 providing an initial, non-color determining outcome, the outcome generator enabling one or two additional potential outcomes to those provided by the one set; C) a second random outcome provider which randomly determines one of two approximately 50/50 outcomes, and each of the two 50/50 outcomes determines a single color outcome from two different color outcomes; D) a wager defining system in which available wager positions are visually provided; and E) a marking component able to identify a player wager on one or more available wager positions.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates energy management systems and methodologies wherein control over local appliances is implemented to control stress on a local transformer to which a plurality of user locations may be connected. Some of the user locations are provided with home energy management (HEM) devices that control operation of certain appliance at their location based in part on constraints associated with the local transformer. The HEMs may negotiate among themselves how to meet the constraints of the local transformer and, in certain circumstances, take into consideration estimates of usage at user locations connected to the local transformer but that do not have their own HEM.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cookware detection are provided. One example system includes a vision sensor positioned so as to collect imagery depicting a cooktop. The system includes one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include obtaining a frame of imagery depicting the cooktop and using a classifier to classify the frame of imagery as either depicting cookware or not depicting cookware.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing a casino wagering game using a processor to determine random event outcomes by: the processor recognizing selection of individual player selections of individual sub-outcomes collectively forming a total player selection set; the processor providing a total selection outcome of a final set of symbols randomly selected by the processor from a total symbol set of individual outcomes; the individual total player selection set totaling fewer symbols than the total symbol set of individual outcomes; a player input system enabling player wagers to be selected from among multiple total selection outcomes to be selected by the processor from among multiple available sets of total selection outcomes; the processor providing differing paytables dependent upon numbers of symbols provided by the processor with respect to each total selection outcome provided by the processor from among the multiple available sets of total outcome selections

Abstract: A gas turbine engine wall is provided. The wall includes an inner surface and an opposing outer surface having at least one film cooling hole defined therein. The at least one film cooling hole includes an inclined inlet bore that extends from the inner surface and a pair of channels that diverge laterally from an outlet end of the inclined inlet bore. The pair of channels have a substantially constant width and are separated by a ridge to form a boomerang cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A computer readable medium containing executable instructions that when executed perform a method of generating relationship data, the method comprising: accessing an interaction database, wherein the interaction database comprises a record of exchanges between two or more users of a digital communication system, and wherein the exchanges occurred on the digital communication system; obtaining one or more characteristics of one or more exchanges of the two or more users, wherein the one or more characteristics are stored in the interaction database and wherein the data is obtained through a direct internet access protocol; and generating relationship data by analyzing the one or more characteristics.

Abstract: A multipurpose tool and method usable to remove debris and/or other retentate from a skimmer basket or a filter associated with a swimming pool, and/or to remove the skimmer well lid and the skimmer basket and/or filter from a skimmer well. The tool comprises two elongate members pivotally connected, each elongate member having a protrusion connected thereto at one end and a handle at the other. Each elongate member can have a scooping element connected thereto. The protrusions can point away from each other and can be adapted to move away from each other in response to the handles being moved towards each other.

Abstract: A method for aggregate load management includes determining whether a load capacity limit within a utility power network will be exceeded, selecting an aggregated demand reduction target to remain within capacity bounds if the load capacity limit is to be exceeded, selecting a demand reduction strategy, and sending a control signal that includes a randomized PWM level, based on the strategy, to a controller in a load component of the utility system based on the reduction target. A method for component load management includes receiving a control signal from a utility system based on a utility demand reduction strategy, converting the signal into randomized PWM control of the load component in accordance therewith, receiving an updated control signal based on utility system monitoring of an aggregate load of a component of the utility system, and converting the updated signal into randomized PWM control of the load component in accordance therewith.

Abstract: A method of playing a side bet wagering game on a gaming system comprising a video display system, a processor and a data entry input system at a defined location. Separate wagers are placed on an underlying keno game or bingo game and a separate roulette game using alphanumerics selected in the keno game to resolve roulette wagers. A Keno game with 40 (plus two additional alphanumerics) or 80 alphanumerics (with 2 or four additional alphanumerics, such as 0, 00, X, XX) may be used. The processor randomly selects at least 10 or 20 alphanumerics to resolve the 40 keno wager. A predetermined one of the at least 10 or alphanumerics is used to resolve the roulette game.

Abstract: A computer readable medium containing executable instructions that when executed perform a method of generating relationship data, the method comprising: accessing an interaction database, wherein the interaction database comprises a record of exchanges between two or more users of a digital communication system, and wherein the exchanges occurred on the digital communication system; obtaining one or more characteristics of one or more exchanges of the two or more users, wherein the one or more characteristics are stored in the interaction database and wherein the data is obtained through a direct internet access protocol; and generating relationship data by analyzing the one or more characteristics.

Abstract: A system for managing energy consumption of a mesh network. The system includes a controller, a dynamic routing device configured to perform a functionality of either a routing device or a non-routing device, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is programmed to identify a number of routing devices in the mesh network, determine a signal strength of each of the identified routing devices with respect to at least one of the controller and the dynamic processor, and determine whether the dynamic routing device will perform the functionality of a routing device or a non-routing device upon joining the mesh network based on the number of identified routing devices and the signal strength of each of the identified routing devices.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus suitable for downhole application may include a mandrel; a packer element assembly disposed about the mandrel that comprises at least one packer element disposed about the mandrel; and a retaining shoe disposed about the mandrel and adjacent to a first packer element of the packer element assembly. The retaining shoe may be configured such that in an unset position at least a portion of the first packer element covers at least a portion of a retaining shoe distal surface.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a well. A pumpable plug is used to urge bottom hole assemblies to a desired location in a well. The pumpable plug has a diameter greater than the maximum outer diameter of the casing in which the bottom hole assembly is to be located.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates energy management systems and methodologies wherein control over local appliances is implemented to control stress on a local transformer to which a plurality of user locations may be connected. Some of the user locations are provided with home energy management (HEM) devices that control operation of certain appliance at their location based in part on constraints associated with the local transformer. The HEMs may negotiate among themselves how to meet the constraints of the local transformer and, in certain circumstances, take into consideration estimates of usage at user locations connected to the local transformer but that do not have their own HEM.