Abstract: An airfoil includes a platform and an airfoil section. The airfoil section and the platform are formed of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) having fiber plies and a ceramic matrix, the fiber plies include first and second groups of core fiber plies that respectively define first and second radial tubes that circumscribe first and second internal cavities in the airfoil section. Skin fiber plies define an exterior of the airfoil section, wrap around the first and second groups of core fiber plies, and flare outwardly through a fillet into the platform. Platform fiber plies extend in the platform adjacent the skin fiber plies. There is at least one closed-circuit cooling passage defined in the fiber plies. The cooling passage initiates from the first internal cavity, extends within the platform, and ends at the second internal cavity.

Abstract: An airfoil includes a platform and an airfoil section that are formed of a ceramic matrix composite that includes core fiber plies, skin fiber plies, platform fiber plies, and a cooling passage that extends through selected ones of the plies to provide a cooling circuit through the airfoil section and into the platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a wheel are described herein. The wheel includes a plurality of game wedges and a wedge selector. The plurality of game wedges includes a first variable wedge, a second variable wedge, and at least one moveable wedge. Each game wedge is associated with a respective award and a respective probability of selection. The method includes generating, using a random-number generator, a random number representing a selected game wedge of the plurality of game wedges, causing the wedge selector to visibly identify the selected game wedge, and in response to a trigger game wedge of the game wedges being the selected game wedge, shifting the moveable wedge around the wheel to change a visible size of the first variable wedge and the respective probability of selection of the first variable game wedge proportional to the change in visible size.

Abstract: A gaming system includes electronic components that implement a value-aggregation procedure for displaying, combining, and awarding credit values in a reel-spinning venue.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a gaming machine for playing at least one casino wagering game, one or more electronic display devices, and game-logic circuitry. The game-logic circuitry directs at least one of the display devices to display a progressive jackpot, detects, via at least one electronic input device of the gaming machine, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, increments the progressive jackpot in response to play of the casino wagering game, directs at least one of the electronic display devices to display an outcome resulting from the casino wagering game, awards the progressive jackpot in response to the displayed outcome being a progressive-winning outcome and/or in response to the progressive jackpot being incremented to a triggering amount, and receives, via at least one of the electronic input devices, a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a wheel are described herein. The wheel includes a plurality of game wedges and a wedge selector. The plurality of game wedges includes a first variable wedge, a second variable wedge, and at least one moveable wedge. Each game wedge is associated with a respective award and a respective probability of selection. The method includes generating, using a random-number generator, a random number representing a selected game wedge of the plurality of game wedges, causing the wedge selector to visibly identify the selected game wedge, and in response to a trigger game wedge of the game wedges being the selected game wedge, shifting the moveable wedge around the wheel to change a visible size of the first variable wedge and the respective probability of selection of the first variable game wedge proportional to the change in visible size.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a wheel are described herein. The wheel includes a plurality of game wedges and a wedge selector. The plurality of game wedges includes a first variable wedge, a second variable wedge, and at least one moveable wedge. Each game wedge is associated with a respective award and a respective probability of selection. The method includes generating, using a random-number generator, a random number representing a selected game wedge of the plurality of game wedges, causing the wedge selector to visibly identify the selected game wedge, and in response to a trigger game wedge of the game wedges being the selected game wedge, shifting the moveable wedge around the wheel to change a visible size of the first variable wedge and the respective probability of selection of the first variable game wedge proportional to the change in visible size.

Abstract: A gaming system includes electronic components that implement a value-aggregation procedure for displaying, combining, and awarding credit values in a reel-spinning venue.

Abstract: A gaming system includes electronic components that implement a value-aggregation procedure for displaying, combining, and awarding credit values in a reel-spinning venue.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a gaming machine for playing at least one casino wagering game, one or more electronic display devices, and game-logic circuitry. The game-logic circuitry directs at least one of the display devices to display a progressive jackpot, detects, via at least one electronic input device of the gaming machine, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, increments the progressive jackpot in response to play of the casino wagering game, directs at least one of the electronic display devices to display an outcome resulting from the casino wagering game, awards the progressive jackpot in response to the displayed outcome being a progressive-winning outcome and/or in response to the progressive jackpot being incremented to a triggering amount, and receives, via at least one of the electronic input devices, a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance.

Abstract: A gaming system includes electronic components that implement a value-aggregation procedure for displaying, combining, and awarding credit values in a reel-spinning venue.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a wheel are described herein. The wheel includes a plurality of game wedges and a wedge selector. The plurality of game wedges includes a first variable wedge, a second variable wedge, and at least one moveable wedge. Each game wedge is associated with a respective award and a respective probability of selection. The method includes generating, using a random-number generator, a random number representing a selected game wedge of the plurality of game wedges, causing the wedge selector to visibly identify the selected game wedge, and in response to a trigger game wedge of the game wedges being the selected game wedge, shifting the moveable wedge around the wheel to change a visible size of the first variable wedge and the respective probability of selection of the first variable game wedge proportional to the change in visible size.

Abstract: A gaming system includes electronic components that implement a value-aggregation procedure for displaying, combining, and awarding credit values in a reel-spinning venue.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gaming system including a gaming machine. In response to a triggering event, the gaming system initiates play of a feature game including a plurality of standard symbols and value symbols, the value symbols being associated with one or more values. Value symbols adjacent to one another are combined into a larger composite symbol and held in place on a display device, the standard symbols then replaced with replacement symbols randomly selected from the standard and value symbols. When the replacement symbols include another value symbol adjacent to the composite symbol, the new value symbol is also combined with the composite symbol, increasing its size. At the conclusion of the feature game, a reel associated with the composite symbol is displayed and spun to select an award from a set of possible awards based on the size of the composite symbol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gaming system including a gaming machine. In response to a triggering event, the gaming system initiates play of a feature game including a plurality of standard symbols and value symbols, the value symbols being associated with one or more values. Value symbols adjacent to one another are combined into a larger composite symbol and held in place on a display device, the standard symbols then replaced with replacement symbols randomly selected from the standard and value symbols. When the replacement symbols include another value symbol adjacent to the composite symbol, the new value symbol is also combined with the composite symbol, increasing its size. At the conclusion of the feature game, a reel associated with the composite symbol is displayed and spun to select an award from a set of possible awards based on the size of the composite symbol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gaming system including a gaming machine primarily dedicated for use in playing at least one regulated casino wagering game. In response to a triggering event, the gaming system initiates play of a feature game including a plurality of standard symbols and value symbols, the value symbols being associated with one or more values. One or more of the value symbols are held in place in a group on a display device, the standard symbols then replaced with respective replacement symbols randomly selected from the plurality of standard and value symbols. In response to the replacement symbols including another value symbol, the value symbol is added to the group and at least one of the values of the symbols previously in the group is modified. An award based on the current cumulative value of the held value symbols is determined at the conclusion of the feature game.

Abstract: A gaming system includes electronic components that implement a value-aggregation procedure for displaying, combining, and awarding credit values in a reel-spinning venue.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gaming system including a gaming machine. In response to a triggering event, the gaming system initiates play of a feature game including a plurality of standard symbols and value symbols, the value symbols being associated with one or more values. Value symbols adjacent to one another are combined into a larger composite symbol and held in place on a display device, the standard symbols then replaced with replacement symbols randomly selected from the standard and value symbols. When the replacement symbols include another value symbol adjacent to the composite symbol, the new value symbol is also combined with the composite symbol, increasing its size. At the conclusion of the feature game, a reel associated with the composite symbol is displayed and spun to select an award from a set of possible awards based on the size of the composite symbol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gaming system including a gaming machine. In response to a triggering event, the gaming system initiates play of a feature game including a plurality of standard symbols and value symbols, the value symbols being associated with one or more values. Value symbols adjacent to one another are combined into a larger composite symbol and held in place on a display device, the standard symbols then replaced with replacement symbols randomly selected from the standard and value symbols. When the replacement symbols include another value symbol adjacent to the composite symbol, the new value symbol is also combined with the composite symbol, increasing its size. At the conclusion of the feature game, a reel associated with the composite symbol is displayed and spun to select an award from a set of possible awards based on the size of the composite symbol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gaming system including a gaming machine primarily dedicated for use in playing at least one regulated casino wagering game. In response to a triggering event, the gaming system initiates play of a feature game including a plurality of standard symbols and value symbols, the value symbols being associated with one or more values. One or more of the value symbols are held in place in a group on a display device, the standard symbols then replaced with respective replacement symbols randomly selected from the plurality of standard and value symbols. In response to the replacement symbols including another value symbol, the value symbol is added to the group and at least one of the values of the symbols previously in the group is modified. An award based on the current cumulative value of the held value symbols is determined at the conclusion of the feature game.