Abstract: A pier bracket comprises a metal bar having a plurality of bolt holes formed through a top half of the metal bar and a plurality of opposingly faced barbs extending from planar side surfaces in a lower half of the metal bar. The barbs are configured to provide asymmetrical resistance force to movement of the pier bracket when received within an aperture formed in a concrete pier or footing.

Abstract: A pier bracket comprises a metal bar having a plurality of bolt holes formed through a top half of the metal bar and a plurality of opposingly faced barbs extending from planar side surfaces in a lower half of the metal bar. The barbs are configured to provide asymmetrical resistance force to movement of the pier bracket when received within an aperture formed in a concrete pier or footing.

Abstract: A media grinding mill having a grinding chamber in the shape of a donut or torus within which at least one plow travels along a circular path typically creating one or more pressure regions between the plow and the grinding chamber walls that facilitates the grinding operation. Optional guide vanes positioned on the plows can further control the grinding process.

Abstract: In a casino card game, provisions are made for a jackpot component awarded after initially dealt cards are reviewed and additional cards are dealt, in which predetermined prizes are awarded players who participate in the jackpot component by placing additional wagers and the prizes are based upon preselected arrangements of playing cards in the hands after additional cards are dealt.

Abstract: In a casino card game, provisions are made for a jackpot component awarded after initially dealt cards are reviewed and additional cards are dealt, in which predetermined prizes are awarded players who participate in the jackpot component by placing additional wagers and the prizes are based upon preselected arrangements of playing cards in the hands after additional cards are dealt.

Abstract: In a casino card game, provisions are made for a jackpot component awarded after initially dealt cards are reviewed and additional cards are dealt, in which predetermined prizes are awarded players who participate in the jackpot component by placing additional wagers and the prizes are based upon preselected arrangements of playing cards in the hands after additional cards are dealt.

Abstract: In a casino card game, provisions are made for a jackpot component awarded after initially dealt cards are reviewed and additional cards are dealt, in which predetermined prizes are awarded players who participate in the jackpot component by placing additional wagers and the prizes are based upon preselected arrangements of playing cards in the hands after additional cards are dealt.

Abstract: A roulette game including a progressive jackpot includes a plurality of coin acceptors to enable players to place an optional progressive jackpot wager. Players place game wagers on a numbered layout imprinted on a table surface by using different colored chips assigned to each player. A control system includes an optical sensor head for detecting the speed and position of the ball in the roulette wheel, as well as the number of revolutions of the wheel. The control system displays on an electronic sign a progressive jackpot amount, winning numbers, and a random bonus jackpot. Players win the progressive jackpot by betting on the same winning number four times in a row. The electronic control system of the game, in conjunction with a dealer console, maintains an accounting of wagers placed, winning numbers, and amounts paid. The apparatus also includes a sound system for generating various sound effects at different stages of the game to enhance player excitement and appeal.

Abstract: A rotor for use in a line start permanent magnet motor comprises a rotor core having a shaft and including teeth defining slots; a rotor cage, at least a portion of which extends through the slots; and a layer of composite permanent magnet material at least partially coating the rotor core.

Abstract: An integrated heat sink module includes a sinuously channeled base and a bonded top surface electrode that is dielectrically isolated from the base. The top surface electrode acts as a common modular electrode capable of conducting heat to an ultimate cooling medium with no intervening thermal barrier. Constrained copper technology (CCT) is employed to ensure that the relatively low effective temperature coefficient of expansion of the channel base is acquired by the channel cover, which is the dielectrically (but not thermally) insulated top surface, and that the common electrode is integrated with, by forming a part of, the fluid channel in the base. The heat sink weight is reduced significantly by the channeling, while use of the CCT technology ensures high reliability and integrity of the module.

Abstract: A switched reluctance generator system, including a converter for coupling a dc voltage via a dc excitation bus (or excitation nodes) to a switched reluctance generator and thereby providing excitation thereto, has a separate generator bus for providing the output voltage of the switched reluctance generator. The generator bus is separate and distinct from the dc excitation bus such that the average current generated by the switched reluctance generator is substantially independent of the generator output voltage. As a result, the switched reluctance generator is capable of resuming generating operation after occurrence of an overload, without requiring a relatively large power source to supply the overload, clear the fault (e.g., via a fuse) and re-excite the generator.

Abstract: An impact start assist device for an electric motor comprises a driven member coupled to a load and a drive member coupled to the motor and to the driven member. The driven member and the drive member are rotatable, relative to each other, through at least a portion of a revolution. The device further comprises an arrangement for providing a substantially instantaneous transfer of angular momentum from the drive member to the driven member after relative rotation of the members through at least the portion of the revolution. A locking arrangement is provided for locking the drive member and the driven member together at high rotational speeds. At least a portion of the locking arrangement is centrifugally actuated, and a spring is provided to disengage the locking mechanism at low speeds, or at rest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a high torque, low speed electric motor suitable for mass production includes a pair of drawn steel annular frames each having an L-shaped cross section. One frame is coupled to the stator and another is coupled to the rotor. In order to provide torque pulsation isolation, at least one of the frames is coupled to its respective rotor or stator by means of an elastomeric bonding material held in compression such that radial motion is minimized while permitting limited torsional motion. One of the frames, preferably the stator support frame, may be press-fit or coupled to the stator via a hard-setting polymer or a low melting point metal such as zinc. The L-shaped frames each have a flange extending radially and which is adapted for connection to a motor frame or to a driven element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a high torque, low speed electric motor suitable for mass production includes a pair of drawn steel annular frames each having an L-shaped cross section. One frame is coupled to the stator and another is coupled to the rotor. In order to provide torque pulsation isolation, at least one of the frames is coupled to its respective rotor or stator by an elastomeric bonding material that is held in compression such that radial motion is minimized while permitting limited torsional motion. One of the frames, preferably the stator support frame, may be press-fit or coupled to the stator via a hard-setting polymer or a low melting point metal such as zinc. The L-shaped frames each have a flange extending radially and which is adapted for connection to a motor frame or to a driven element.

Abstract: A cantilever-mounted piezoelectric bender includes apparatus for forcing the bender to approach straightness when in a blocked position, e.g. when meeting a contact in an electrical relay. As a result, the potential energy recoverable from the bender is maximized without requiring additional piezoelectric material. A first preferred embodiment comprises a bender extension mounted on the free end of the bender. A normal load force is applied to the free end of the extension, rather than the free end of the bender, resulting in the application of a moment to the end of the bender which tends to straighten the bender when in a blocked position. A second preferred embodiment comprises a back-up plate disposed adjacent one surface of the bender. The degree to which the bender is straightened in a blocked position depends on the location of the point of tangency between the back-up plate and the extension.