Abstract: The crossword puzzle board game provides for competitive play in the solving of a crossword puzzle by two or more players. Players attempt to solve the puzzle by solving selectively revealed clues determined by a row or column determination die and selection of a row or column selection card. An answer is verified by removing concealing markers previously placed over the solution on a puzzle sheet. Alternatively, the solutions may be optically concealed, with a special viewer allowing them to be viewed. Points are distributed for correct answers according to the order in which the clues are solved; points are deducted for incorrect or misspelled answers. A player may attempt to solve one clue, or to “SNEAK A PEEK” under one marker and receive zero points at his or her turn. The game ends when all clues are answered; stalemates are not possible. The highest scoring player wins the game.

Abstract: When a processor in a computer system is placed in a low power mode, power consumption of the computer system may be further reduced by reducing power consumption of one or more components of a memory coupled to the processor and by reducing power consumption of one or more components of a controller device coupled to the memory. The processor and the controller device may share the memory.

Abstract: Conventional receiver architectures are based on either frequency/phase tracking or oversampling. Both receiver types typically employ sensitive analog circuits, which create noise, consume power and utilize valuable space in their implementation. The invention adopts a novel approach to phase/frequency tracking that utilizes the edges or zero crossings of the input data waveform to effectively track the remote transmitter clock phase/frequency. This methodology minimizes the use of analog circuitry, thereby reducing the noise domain and the substrate space required for implementation of a tracking device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an article of manufacture useful in a variant of ultra-wide band (UWB) radar known as micropower impulse radar (MIR) that is combined with advanced signal processing techniques to provide a new type of medical imaging technology including frequency spectrum analysis and modern statistical filtering techniques to search for, acquire, track, and interrogate physiological data. The article of manufacture can allow range gate settings to be controlled to depths of interest within a patient and those settings are dynamically adjusted to optimize the physiological signals desired.

Abstract: Disclosed is a variant of ultra-wide band (UWB) radar known as micropower impulse radar (MIR) combined with advanced signal processing techniques to provide a new type of medical imaging technology including frequency spectrum analysis and modern statistical filtering techniques to search for, acquire, track, or interrogate physiological data. Range gate settings are controlled to depths of interest within a patient and those settings are dynamically adjusted to optimize the physiological signals desired.

Abstract: When a processor in a computer system is placed in a low power mode, power consumption of the computer system may be further reduced by reducing power consumption of one or more components of a memory coupled to the processor and by reducing power consumption of one or more components of a controller device coupled to the memory. The processor and the controller device may share the memory.

Abstract: An active control system and method for controlling the position and/or properties of optical components in an optical switch of an optical communications network is provided. The active control system utilizes a power-sharing scheme to provide an array of supervisory signals, which are directed through the switch to monitor and control the optical components. The supervisory signals are produced by combining the light signals emitted by an array of external light sources, and subsequently splitting the combined signal equally to form the supervisory signals.

Abstract: A self-driven centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a base plate and a rotor shell. The base plate has a center tube extending therefrom along a longitudinal axis. The center tube is constructed and arranged to deliver fluid containing particulate matter. A rotor shell has an inner cavity and a plurality of spiral vanes extending along the longitudinal axis within the inner cavity. The spiral vanes extend spirally around the center tube and the spiral vanes are integrally formed with the rotor shell. In one form, spiral vanes are also formed on the base plate and are nested in between the spiral vanes of the rotor shell.

Abstract: A self-driven centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a base having a pair of tangential jet nozzles for generating the self-driven force for the centrifuge. Connected to the base is a centrifuge shell which defines a hollow interior space. A hollow rotor hub having a central axis of rotation is assembled to the base and extends through the hollow interior space. A support plate is positioned within the hollow interior space and, in cooperation with the rotor hub, defines an annular flow exit opening for the circulating liquid. Positioned within the hollow interior space is a separation vane module which is constructed and arranged so as to extend around the rotor hub and positioned so as to be supported by the support plate. The separation vane module includes a plurality of axially-extending and spaced-apart separation vanes.

Abstract: A disposable, cone-stack, self-driven centrifuge rotor assembly for separating particulate matter out of a circulating flow of oil includes first and second rotor shell portions which are injection molded out of plastic and joined together by induction welding engaging edges so as to create an enclosing shell with a hollow interior. An injection molded, plastic support hub is assembled into a central opening in the lower half of the rotor shell and extends upwardly into the hollow interior. An injection molded, plastic alignment spool is assembled into a central opening in the upper portion of the rotor shell and extends downwardly into the hollow interior. A cone-stack subassembly, including a plurality of individual separation cones which are injection molded out of plastic, are arranged into an aligned stack and positioned within the hollow interior and cooperatively assembled between the support hub and the alignment spool.

Abstract: A self-driven centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a stand pipe that is constructed and arranged to deliver fluid. A vane assembly is adapted to receive fluid from the stand pipe. The vane assembly includes a liner and a plurality of vanes. The liner defines an inner cavity and the vanes extends within this inner cavity. Each of the vanes has a radially outer edge portion and integrally formed with the liner and an opposite free edge. The vanes are oriented in a parallel relationship with the stand pipe, and the free edges of the vanes define a stand pipe passage in which the stand pipe is received.

Abstract: A self-driven centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a base having a pair of tangential jet nozzles for generating the self-driven force. Connected to the base is a centrifuge shell which defines a hollow interior space. A disposable liner is positioned within the centrifuge shell. A hollow rotor hub is assembled to the base and extends through the hollow interior space. A support plate is positioned within the hollow interior space and, in cooperation with the rotor hub, defines an annular flow exit. Positioned within the hollow interior space is a unitary separation vane module which is constructed and arranged so as to extend around the rotor hub. The separation vane module includes a plurality of axially-extending and spaced-apart separation vanes. In one embodiment the vane module and a liner shell are formed as a unitary component.

Abstract: An active control system and method for controlling the position and/or properties of optical components in an optical switch of an optical communications network is provided. The active control system utilizes a power-sharing scheme to provide an array of supervisory signals, which are directed through the switch to monitor and control the optical components. The supervisory signals are produced by combining the light signals emitted by an array of external light sources, and subsequently splitting the combined signal equally to form the supervisory signals.

Abstract: A self-driven centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a base having a pair of tangential jet nozzles for generating the self-driven force for the centrifuge. Connected to the base is a centrifuge shell which defines a hollow interior space. A hollow rotor hub having a central axis of rotation is assembled to the base and extends through the hollow interior space. A support plate is positioned within the hollow interior space and, in cooperation with the rotor hub, defines an annular flow exit opening for the circulating liquid. Positioned within the hollow interior space is a separation vane module which is constructed and arranged so as to extend around the rotor hub and positioned so as to be supported by the support plate. The separation vane module includes a plurality of axially-extending and spaced-apart separation vanes.

Abstract: This invention is a steerable thermoacoustic array system for directing information between an object that is above the surface of the water and a sound detector that is beneath the surface of the water. The foregoing system comprises a laser or particle accelerator that is located above the water's surface. The laser or particle beam produces a light beam or particle beam which contains information that is moved along a small layer of water at the air/water interface at a speed equal to the speed of sound in water divided by the steering angle of the laser so that the light beam or particle beam is absorbed by the water causing the water to expand and produce a series of acousitic Braves that constructively interfere with each other and travel towards the sound detector.

Abstract: This invention is a thermoacoustic system for communicating between an airborne or spaceborne vehicle and a sound detector that is located aboard an object beneath the surface of the water. The foregoing system comprises a laser or particle accelerator that is located aboard an airborne or spaceborne vehicle. The laser produces a light beam whose amplitude is subsequently modulated or whose pulses are varied in time. A particle accelerator would produce a pulsed particle beam that varies in time. These modulated or varied pulses are focused or deflected to a small layer of water at the air/water interface so that the beam will be absorbed by the water causing the water to produce an acoustic signal that will propagate to the sound detector.

Abstract: A self-driven centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a base plate and a rotor shell. The base plate has a center tube extending therefrom along a longitudinal axis. The center tube is constructed and arranged to deliver fluid containing particulate matter. A rotor shell has an inner cavity and a plurality of spiral vanes extending along the longitudinal axis within the inner cavity. The spiral vanes extend spirally around the center tube and the spiral vanes are integrally formed with the rotor shell. In one form, spiral vanes are also formed on the base plate and are nested in between the spiral vanes of the rotor shell.

Abstract: A self-driven centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a stand pipe that is constructed and arranged to deliver fluid. A vane assembly is adapted to receive fluid from the stand pipe. The vane assembly includes a liner and a plurality of vanes. The liner defines an inner cavity and the vanes extends within this inner cavity. Each of the vanes has a radially outer edge portion and integrally formed with the liner and an opposite free edge. The vanes are oriented in a parallel relationship with the stand pipe, and the free edges of the vanes define a stand pipe passage in which the stand pipe is received.

Abstract: This invention is a thermoacoustic sonar system for detecting a target that is located at or beneath the surface of the water. The foregoing system comprises a laser or particle accelerator that is located above the water and a plurality of passive receivers that are located on or above the water. The laser produces a light beam whose amplitude is subsequently modulated or whose pulses are varied in time. A particle accelerator would produce a pulsed particle beam that varies in time. These modulated or varied pulses are focused or deflected to a small layer of water at the air/water interface so that the beam will be absorbed by the water causing the water to produce an acoustic signal that may propagate to a target where the acoustic signal will be reflected and possibly detected by one or more passive receivers.

Abstract: A self-driven centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a base having a pair of tangential jet nozzles for generating the self-driven force. Connected to the base is a centrifuge shell which defines a hollow interior space. A disposable liner is positioned within the centrifuge shell. A hollow rotor hub is assembled to the base and extends through the hollow interior space. A support plate is positioned within the hollow interior space and, in cooperation with the rotor hub, defines an annular flow exit. Positioned within the hollow interior space is a unitary separation vane module which is constructed and arranged so as to extend around the rotor hub. The separation vane module includes a plurality of axially-extending and spaced-apart separation vanes. In one embodiment the vane module and a liner shell are formed as a unitary component.