Abstract: A water safety garment and apparatus configured to avoid drowning can be configured to permit submergence for a predetermined period of time without inflation. After the predetermined time has passed, the garment or other apparatus can be configured to inflate to help a person wearing the garment float on top of the water to avoid drowning or other potentially harmful condition that may result from being underwater for too long. In some embodiments, a circuit may be utilized to detect the submergence condition of a person wearing the apparatus or garment. Upon a determination that the detected submergence condition has occurred continuously for a pre-determined period of time, an inflation mechanism can be actuated to force the person wearing the apparatus or garment to float to the top of the water.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine may include an illuminable notification mechanism, which may be disposed on a rear surface of the electronic gaming machine in a position or location that makes the notification mechanism visible to a casino operator. The notification mechanism may include a display, such as, for example, a display that includes at least one tri-color light emitting diode (LED). The display of the notification mechanism may be selectively illuminated in a variety of lighting configurations based, for example, upon gameplay activity of a player of the gaming machine. For instance, in some embodiments, the notification mechanism may be selectively illuminated in any of an inactive lighting configuration, an active lighting configuration, or a privileged lighting configuration. In the privileged lighting configuration, the notification mechanism may indicate that a player of the gaming machine is entitled to a complimentary item (e.g., a free or reduced-price item or service).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polyester fabric with inherent color, the method including: providing a polyester fiber with inherent color; spinning polyester yarn from the fiber with inherent color; knitting the colored polyester yarn into knitted fabric which can combine with other yarn according to a requirement; washing the colored polyester fabric and heat-setting the fabrics with add-on functional finish to the fabric. The providing of polyester fiber with inherent color may include: cleaning and drying polyester bottles; recycling polyester chips from clean bottles; mixing chips with pigment evenly and melting the chips with pigment; extruding the filament fiber with color; and drawing and cutting filament fiber into staple fiber. Further aspects of the present invention are directed to a colored polyester fabric and a method of manufacturing an article of clothing using a colored polyester fabric produced using the above-described method.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polyester fabric with inherent color, the method including: providing a polyester fiber with inherent color; spinning polyester yarn from the fiber with inherent color; knitting the colored polyester yarn into knitted fabric which can combine with other yarn according to a requirement; wishing the colored polyester fabric and heat-setting the fabrics with add-on functional finish to the fabric. The providing of polyester fiber with inherent color may include: cleaning and drying polyester bottles; recycling polyester chips from clean bottles; mixing chips with pigment evenly and melting the chips with pigment; extruding the filament fiber with color; and drawing and cutting filament fiber into staple fiber. Further aspects of the present invention are directed to a colored polyester fabric and a method of manufacturing an article of clothing, using a colored polyester fabric produced using the above-described method.

Abstract: A method for creating garment cuffs includes applying a high-polymer heat-sealable material on a cuff area of the fabric used for the garment. The heat-sealable material and the fabric underneath are then cut with an ultrasonic cutter to form the cuff and concurrently finish the lower edges of the cuff. The heat-sealable material has properties that allow it to stretch from an equilibrium point in response to tension applied on the material, and recover back towards the equilibrium point in response to release of the tension on the material. Reinforcing the cuff area with the heat-sealable material allows the cuff area to maintain its stretch and recovery properties even after the fabric has degraded after extended use and washing of the fabric. Furthermore, the ultrasonic cutting causes some of the heat-sealable film to melt into the cut edges of the fabric at the cuff to create substantially sealed edges at the cuff.

Abstract: A method for creating garment cuffs includes applying a high-polymer heat-sealable material on a cuff area of the fabric used for the garment. The heat-sealable material and the fabric underneath are then cut with an ultrasonic cutter to form the cuff and concurrently finish the lower edges of the cuff. The heat-sealable material has properties that allow it to stretch from an equilibrium point in response to tension applied on the material, and recover back towards the equilibrium point in response to release of the tension on the material. Reinforcing the cuff area with the heat-sealable material allows the cuff area to maintain its stretch and recovery properties even after the fabric has degraded after extended use and washing of the fabric. Furthermore, the ultrasonic cutting causes some of the heat-sealable film to melt into the cut edges of the fabric at the cuff to create substantially sealed edges at the cuff.

Abstract: An athletic supporter is provided having a stability anchor located between a groin portion and a back portion, which extend from the front and back, respectively, of a waistband. The stability anchor is formed of a non-stretch fabric and provides increased compression, supporting, cupping and lifting for the male athlete.

Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrator generates attenuating waves in an air duct in an automobile HVAC system to cancel or reduce the noise created by sound waves. A processor converts a sinusoidal noise signal into an attenuation signal, which is the additive inverse of the sinusoidal noise signal. The processor may include an inverter or a phase-shifter to create the attenuation signal, as well as an amplifier to adjust the amplitude of the attenuation signal. The attenuation signal drives the piezoelectric vibrator.

Abstract: A method facilitates assembling a rotor assembly for gas turbine engine. The method comprises providing a first rotor blade that includes an airfoil having a leading edge and a trailing edge including a plurality of trailing edge openings, a platform, a shank, and a dovetail, wherein the platform extends between the airfoil and the dovetail and includes a radially outer surface, a radially inner surface, and a recessed area extending at least partially between the radially outer and inner surfaces. The method also comprises coupling the first rotor blade to a rotor shaft using the dovetail, and coupling a second rotor blade to the rotor shaft such that cooling air is substantially continuously channeled through the platform recessed area during engine operation to facilitate reducing stresses induced to at least a portion of the airfoil trailing edge.

Abstract: The second stage buckets have airfoil profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth Table I wherein X, Y and Z values are in inches. Z represents a distance in inches from and perpendicular to a plane passing through the engine centerline. X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuous arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at the Z distances are joined smoothly with one another to form the complete airfoil shape. The X and Y distances and optionally the Z distance may be scalable as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled up or scaled down airfoil section for the bucket. The nominal airfoil given by the X, Y and Z distances lies within an envelop of ±0.016 inches.

Abstract: The second stage buckets have airfoil profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth Table I wherein X, Y and Z values are in inches. Z represents a distance in inches from and perpendicular to a plane passing through the engine centerline. X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuous arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at the Z distances are joined smoothly with one another to form the complete airfoil shape. The X and Y distances and optionally the Z distance may be scalable as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled up or scaled down airfoil section for the bucket. The nominal airfoil given by the X, Y and Z distances lies within an envelop of ±0.016 inches.

Abstract: The shroud includes a seal extending continuously between leading and trailing edges of the shroud at the tip of the airfoil. A cutter tooth is provided substantially medially of the shroud and in substantial radial alignment with a line through the center of mass of the airfoil. In this manner, any moment arm generated by movement of the shroud is eliminated or minimized to reduce the stresses in the fillet region between the shroud and the airfoil tip and hence increase the creep life of the bucket.

Abstract: The shroud includes a seal extending continuously between leading and trailing edges of the shroud at the tip of the airfoil. A cutter tooth is provided substantially medially of the shroud and in substantial radial alignment with a line through the center of mass of the airfoil. In this manner, any moment arm generated by movement of the shroud is eliminated or minimized to reduce the stresses in the fillet region between the shroud and the airfoil tip and hence increase the creep life of the bucket.

Abstract: A flux fume removal device for series insertion in a vacuum line includes a housing which contains a duck bill valve to provide a pressure drop. After passing through the duck bill valve, the fumes then pass through a sponge which collects liquid flux.