Abstract: An annuity provides a guaranteed rate of return for a guarantee period while at the same time providing upward adjustments to the interest rate if there is a corresponding increase in a specified referenced rate, which may be a United States Treasury rate or an interest rate that is used to settle a contract that is traded on a financial futures exchange. The guaranteed base interest rate is set at the beginning of the guarantee period, and the annuity account is credited with the base interest rate for an initial pre-defined period, which is some portion of the guarantee period. Periodically, as defined by the pre-defined period, the then-current referenced rate is compared to a base referenced rate that was defined at the establishment of the guarantee period. If the referenced rate has increased, the interest rate that will be credited to the annuity account value will increase by an amount that is based on the amount of increase in the referenced rate.

Abstract: The ultrasonic air data system determines the relative velocity of an aircraft with respect to the medium in one, two or three directions. In addition, it may determine the speed of sound and the approximate temperature. In the one direction system, a first ultrasonic transducer transmits a pulse to a second transducer where it is detected and reflected back to the first transducer and again reflected to the second transducer. The pulse transmit times for each direction are determined, and the relative velocity, the speed of sound and the approximate temperature are provided as a function of the transit time. In the two or three direction systems, three or four transducers are positioned in a two or three dimensional configuration. In the first half cycle, the first transducer transmits a pulse to the second where it is reflected to the third or last transducer in a two-dimension system and then to the last transducer in a three-dimension system.