Abstract: A convertible in-revenue and out-of-revenue gaming system is disclosed that includes a server connected to automatically convert operating modes and control in-revenue and out-of-revenue operation of one or more banks of gaming machines. Additionally disclosed are gaming machines with video cameras connected to provide live video feed to one or more displays, such as during tournament play when live video feed of the players and the player tournament positions may be driven in real-time to an overhead display by the server operating in a tournament controller mode.

Abstract: A shut-off valve includes a float and a negative G control component. The float is configured to occlude a tank outlet at a first fluid level and 1 G and unocclude the tank outlet at a second fluid level and 1 G. The negative G control component is operatively connected to the float to limit fluid, e.g. liquid or gas, communication between a tank outlet and an ejector pump during negative G events. An ecology fuel return system includes a tank, an ejector pump, a float, and a negative G control component, as described above. The tank has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with components of an engine. The ejector pump is in fluid communication with the tank outlet and is configured to pump fuel from the tank to a fuel pump inlet of an engine.

Abstract: An ecology system includes an ecology tank, a check valve, a shutoff valve, and an ejector pump. The check valve is fluidly connected to the ecology tank and is configured to allow flow from the ecology tank. The shutoff valve is fluidly connected to the check valve, and the ejector pump is fluidly connected to the shutoff valve. The ejector pump is configured to draw fuel from the ecology tank when the shutoff valve is in an open configuration.

Abstract: A shut-off valve includes a float and a negative G control component. The float is configured to occlude a tank outlet at a first fluid level and 1 G and unocclude the tank outlet at a second fluid level and 1 G. The negative G control component is operatively connected to the float to limit fluid, e.g. liquid or gas, communication between a tank outlet and an ejector pump during negative G events. An ecology fuel return system includes a tank, an ejector pump, a float, and a negative G control component, as described above. The tank has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with components of an engine. The ejector pump is in fluid communication with the tank outlet and is configured to pump fuel from the tank to a fuel pump inlet of an engine.

Abstract: A bypass valve includes a housing for directing fluid flow through the bypass valve. A disc is positioned within the flow path having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter. The bypass valve further includes at least one strain gauge disposed on the disc. One of the inner and outer perimeters of the disc is fixed to the bypass valve housing and one of the inner and outer perimeter of the disc is free to deflect from the bypass valve housing in response to fluid flow through the bypass valve such that a measurement of deflection of the disc induces strain on the strain gauge.

Abstract: A safety screen assembly includes a shroud sleeve with an upstream end that defines a flow inlet. A spring seat is disposed downstream from the shroud sleeve and includes a flow outlet. A screen spool is operatively disposed between the flow inlet and the flow outlet and includes a tubular body with an inner passage, a screen disposed within the inner passage, and a plurality of bypass passages formed in the tubular body. The tubular body is in sliding engagement with the shroud sleeve in both a first position and a second position, the shroud sleeve closing the plurality of bypass passages from fluid flow when the tubular body is in the first position, and the plurality of bypass passages being open to fluid flow when the tubular body is in the second position. A spring biases the tubular body of the screen spool toward the first position.

Abstract: A method of aircraft fuel distribution includes selecting a longitudinal center of gravity and predicting a rate of change of the center of gravity during flight. Fuel is located in a tail fin tank of a vertical tail fin of the aircraft, and is transferred from the tail fin tank forward at a predetermined transfer rate to counteract the predicted rate of change thereby maintaining the selected center of gravity. An aircraft fuel distribution system includes a center main fuel tank, a tail fin tank and a tail fin fuel pump to pump fuel between the tail fin tank and the center main fuel tank. An electronic controller operates the tail fin fuel pump such that fuel is flowed between the tail fin tank and the center main fuel tank at a predetermined transfer rate to maintain automatically an optimal position of a longitudinal center of gravity of the aircraft.

Abstract: A convertible in-revenue and out-of-revenue gaming system is disclosed that includes a server connected to automatically convert operating modes and control in-revenue and out-of-revenue operation of one or more banks of gaming machines. Additionally disclosed are gaming machines with video cameras connected to provide live video feed to one or more displays, such as during tournament play when live video feed of the players and the player tournament positions may be driven in real-time to an overhead display by the server operating in a tournament controller mode.

Abstract: A shut-off valve system includes a tank having an inlet and an outlet with a flow path defined therebetween. A float within the tank occludes the tank outlet at a first fluid level under positive G forces and unoccludes the tank outlet at a second fluid level under positive G forces. A flow restricting orifice and/or a hydraulic fuse is downstream of float and tank outlet to restrict fluid communication between tank outlet and an ejector pump. A method for restricting flow in an ecology fuel return system includes recovering fuel from engine components, communicating the fuel to an inlet of a fuel tank, pumping the fuel from an outlet of fuel tank to an inlet of an engine when a float within tank unoccludes the outlet of the fuel tank, and restricting fluid flow from tank outlet to an ejector pump with a flow restricting orifice and/or a hydraulic fuse.

Abstract: A file system storage device includes a memory storing instructions and at least one processor. The processor is configured to: execute the instructions to create a storage area symbolic name in the file system storage device, generate a core table data structure, generate an ancillary table data structure, cache partitioning rule paths for the file system storage device based on the storage area symbolic name, compare property values for a document with the cached partitioning rule paths, dynamically select the storage device symbolic name for the document, store the document into a partition of the file system storage device, store metadata for the document into a partition of the core table, and store ancillary objects for the document into a partition of the ancillary table.

Abstract: In at least one aspect of this disclosure, a shut off valve for an ecology fuel return system can include an inlet for receiving a fluid, an outlet for effusing the fluid, and a valve member configured to move between an open position such that the valve member allows fluid to effuse from the outlet and a closed position such that the valve member prevents fluid from effusing from the outlet. The valve member can include a pressure deflector configured to prevent fluid flow from biasing the valve member toward the closed position.

Abstract: An anchor system for an erosion control mat is provided. The system includes a bullet anchor comprising a bullet anchor body and a bullet anchor strap integrally molded with and extending from a first side of the bullet anchor body. In embodiments, a lock washer is coupled to the bullet anchor strap. In embodiments, serrations on at least one side of the bullet anchor strap are adapted to prevent the lock washer from traversing the bullet anchor strap in a direction away from the bullet anchor. In embodiments, the lock washer is adapted to couple with an erosion control mat. In embodiments, an anchor tab on a second side of the bullet anchor body secures the bullet anchor body in a ground surface. The anchor system is utilized to secure the erosion control mat to the ground surface and prevent undesired movement of the erosion control mat.

Abstract: A convertible in-revenue and out-of-revenue gaming system is disclosed that includes a server connected to automatically convert operating modes and control in-revenue and out-of-revenue operation of one or more banks of gaming machines. Additionally disclosed are gaming machines with video cameras connected to provide live video feed to one or more displays, such as during tournament play when live video feed of the players and the player tournament positions may be driven in real-time to an overhead display by the server operating in a tournament controller mode.

Abstract: A multi-site tournament gaming system and method are disclosed wherein multiple casino operators are engaged to initiate a series of player qualifying events and to hold a multi-session tournament of the qualified players to determine the site winners; and, a final tournament is operated wherein the site winners are provided prizes and compete to be named the ultimate champion.

Abstract: An electronic component package that includes a package substrate having an aluminum bond pad formed from an aluminum clad copper structure. The aluminum clad copper structure is attached to a dielectric layer. An electronic component is attached to the substrate and includes a conductive structure electrically coupled to the aluminum bond pad. The aluminum bond pad, the electronic component, and at least a portion of the substrate are encapsulated with an encapsulant.

Abstract: A method for content management in a file system includes creating a file system storage device with a storage area symbolic name. A core table data structure is generated including a core table partition field. An ancillary table data structure is generated including an ancillary table partition field. Partitioning rules for the file system storage device are cached based on the storage area symbolic name. Property values for a document are compared with the cached partitioning rules to determine a match for the storage area symbolic name. The document is stored into a partition of the file system storage device based on the storage area symbolic name. Metadata for the document is stored into a partition of the core table based on the core table partition field. Ancillary objects for the document are stored into a partition of the ancillary table based on the ancillary partition fields.

Abstract: Articles having poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and silica nanoparticle multilayer coatings are provided. More specifically, the articles include a substrate and a multilayer coating attached to the substrate. The multilayer coating includes a silica layer that is the outermost layer, the silica layer containing acid-sintered interconnected silica nanoparticles arranged to form a continuous three-dimensional porous network. The multilayer coating also includes a PVA layer disposed between a surface of the substrate and the outermost silica layer. The PVA and silica nanoparticle coatings can be used on a large variety of substrates and tend to be resistant to impacts, scratches, wet abrasions, soil and fog.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a bond formed on a bond pad. The bond is formed of a wire that includes a central core of conductive metal, a first coating over the central core of conductive metal that is more chemically active than the conductive metal, and a second coating over the central core of conductive metal that is less chemically active than the central core of conductive metal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a bond formed on a bond pad. The bond is formed of a wire that includes a central core of conductive metal, a first coating over the central core of conductive metal that is more chemically active than the conductive metal, and a second coating over the central core of conductive metal that is less chemically active than the central core of conductive metal.

Abstract: Articles having crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and silica nanoparticle multilayer coatings are provided. More specifically, articles including a substrate, and a multilayer coating attached to the substrate are provided. The multilayer coating includes a first crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) layer and a first silica layer. The first crosslinked PVA layer is an outermost layer of the multilayer coating. The first silica layer comprises a plurality of acid-sintered interconnected silica nanoparticles arranged to form a continuous three-dimensional porous network. The PVA and silica nanoparticle multilayer coatings can be used on a large variety of substrates and tend to be resistant to wet and dry abrasions, scratches, and impacts.