Abstract: Card games that combine the play of Blackjack (“21”) with a 2-card Poker wager or side bet (“21+2”). Each player places a basic Blackjack wager and an optional 2-card Poker wager/side wager before the cards are dealt. Each player is then dealt a card with the dealer receiving a face-up card. Each player is dealt a second card. At this point, the outcome of each 2-card Poker hand is determined, where a player's 2-card Poker hand consists of the 2-card hand dealt to that player and/or using the dealer's face-up card. After settling the Poker wagers, the game of Blackjack continues in a typical fashion. The invention advantageously retains all the features and advantages of Blackjack as well as provides the dynamics of 2-card Poker, without interfering with the card sequence, for enhanced player anticipation and enjoyment. The game can be played with Baccarat wherein each player places a basic player or banker or tie wager and an optional 2-card Poker wager/side wager before the cards are dealt.

Abstract: A method of forming an adhesive force includes removing a seta from a living specimen, attaching the seta to a substrate, and applying the seta to a surface so as to establish an adhesive force between the substrate and the surface. The seta is applied to the surface with a force perpendicular to the surface. The seta is then pulled with a force parallel to the surface so as to preload the adhesive force of the seta.

Abstract: The inventive device comprises an intermediate part disposed in a junction (15) fixed to a common rail (2) at each connection (4) which is arranged in a wall (2a) and comprises a conical flare (5) whose base is oriented towards the outside of said rail (2) and comprises a connector (9) which is provided with an internal channel (12) is arranged in the junction (15) and whose top end (10) interacts with the end (7) of the tube (1) and whose low end (11) interacts with said conical flare (5). The inventive device also comprises a nut (16) consisting of a flange (19) whose external edge is extended by a skirt (20) and retained on the corresponding end of the tube (1) by the collar (8a) of a bulge (8) provided therewith and interacting with the junction (15), wherein the diameter of said junction (15) is substantially greater than the external diameter of the connector (9). Said invention can be used for thermal engines.

Abstract: A laser assembly is provided which includes an objective assembly having an objective and a dichroic mirror, a collimating assembly having a collimating lens and a selectively displaceable mount, and a laser supply assembly having a laser source. The laser assembly can provide laser light through the collimating lens, which collimates the laser light into a collimated beam. The laser beam is preferably transmitted onto the dichroic mirror, which reflects the laser light through the objective along the optical path of the objective which converges into a focal point. Such a laser assembly preferably provides substantial control of the laser beam, for example, for micromanipulation of a sample.

Abstract: A power distribution communication system includes a plurality of network protectors, a plurality of sensors or devices, a plurality of wirelessly communicating user interfaces, and a gateway. The gateway includes a wired communication network interface structured to communicate with at least one of the network protectors, the sensors or the devices, a first wireless communication network interface structured to wirelessly communicate with at least one of the network protectors, the sensors or the devices, and a plurality of second wireless communication network interfaces structured to wirelessly communicate with the wirelessly communicating user interfaces. A processor is operatively associated with the wired communication network interface, the first wireless communication network interface and the second wireless communication network interfaces, and is structured to pass data, information and commands between the various interfaces.

Abstract: Service carts are provided that can be advantageously used to hold both diagnostic tools and repair tools and can be flexibly configured or customized for different work environments or worker preferences. The service carts include a cabinet having two side outer-walls, a back outer-wall, a bottom, and a top. The cabinet can include a plurality of configurable storage spaces with each storage space having a height that is approximately an integer multiple of a minimum storage space height. The cabinet can also be configured to provide electrical power into storage spaces in the cabinet. The cabinet top can comprise a plurality of slots adapted to hold mounting brackets adjustable along a length of the slots. The cabinet may include a fan that pulls air into the cabinet through a filter.

Abstract: A network system includes a network bus structured to power plural network loads. A generator is structured to provide forward power flow to the network bus. A generator protector relay cooperates with the generator. Plural network protectors correspond to plural power source feeders, which are structured to provide forward power flow through corresponding network protectors to the network bus. Each network protector includes a network protector relay having an interface communicating power flow information to a communication network. A controller cooperates with the generator protector relay and includes an interface receiving the power flow information from the communication network and a processor determining whether there is forward power flow through the network protectors to the network bus. The processor enables the generator protector relay responsive to the forward power flow and reduces output from the generator responsive to the forward power flow being less than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A method and system for cooling a heat source are presented. The system includes a fluid heat exchanger, a pump, a thermoelectric device having a cooling portion and a heating portion, and a heat rejector configured to be in thermal contact with at least a portion of the heating portion of the thermoelectric device. The pump is coupled with the fluid heat exchanger and configured to pass a fluid therethrough. The thermoelectric device is configured along with the heat exchanger in a cooling system to enhance the cooling efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a variable capacitive device including providing a base silicon-bearing compound electrode which is vertically-inclined with respect to a substrate, depositing a sacrificial layer on the base electrode, depositing a silicon-bearing compound electrode on the sacrificial layer which is also vertically-inclined with respect to the substrate, and removing the sacrificial layer from between the base silicon-bearing compound electrode and the grown silicon-bearing compound electrode. A variable capacitive device having a fixed vertically-inclined silicon-bearing compound electrode and a movable vertically-inclined silicon-bearing compound electrode produced by arranging a sacrificial layer on a base silicon-bearing compound electrode, depositing a grown silicon-bearing compound electrode on the sacrificial layer, and etching the sacrificial layer. Between the fixed silicon-bearing compound and the movable silicon-bearing compound electrode is a nanogap, the nanogap having a uniform width.

Abstract: A power supply for a control relay includes first and second voltage regulators having first and second operating ranges, respectively, and a switching mechanism. A rectified DC source voltage is provided to the first voltage regulator and the first voltage regulator converts it into a first DC voltage. The rectified DC source voltage is also provided to the switching mechanism which provides it to the second voltage regulator only when the switching mechanism is in a second condition. When the second voltage regulator receives the rectified DC source voltage, it converts it into a second DC voltage. The switching mechanism is adapted to be in a first condition when the rectified DC source voltage is greater than an upper threshold of the second operating range and in the second condition when the rectified DC source voltage is less than that upper threshold. At least one of the DC voltages is provided to the control relay.

Abstract: A method of playing a two card poker game by at least one player and a bank r who is preferably also the dealer. The game features multiple rounds of dealing out of the same deck(s). The player has the option to wager against the dealer, wager against a predetermined payout schedule, or both. Additional optional bets may be offered.

Abstract: A method of controlling temperature of a heat source in contact with a heat exchanging surface of a heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanging surface is substantially aligned along a plane. The method comprises channeling a first temperature fluid to the heat exchanging surface, wherein the first temperature fluid undergoes thermal exchange with the heat source along the heat exchanging surface. The method comprises channeling a second temperature fluid from the heat exchange surface, wherein fluid is channeled to minimize temperature differences along the heat source. The temperature differences are minimized by optimizing and controlling the fluidic and thermal resistances in the heat exchanger. The resistances to the fluid are influenced by size, volume and surface area of heat transferring features, multiple pumps, fixed and variable valves and flow impedance elements in the fluid path, pressure and flow rate control of the fluid, and other factors.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for cooling heat-generating devices in a cooling system is disclosed. The apparatus includes various sensors, control schemes and thermal models, to control pump flow rates and fan flow rates in a concerted manner, while minimizing power consumption, noise, and noise transients. The apparatus further includes at least one heat-generating device, at lease one heat exchanger, and at least one heat rejector. The apparatus can also include many pumps and fans.

Abstract: A power distribution monitoring system includes a wireless gateway/controller, a network protector subnetwork including a plurality of network protectors and a portable electronic device having wireless communication functionality. Each of the network protectors is in electronic communication with the wireless gateway/controller. The wireless gateway/controller receives data from one or more of the network protectors, and wirelessly transmits at least a portion of the data to the portable electronic device. Also, a method of monitoring a power distribution system including receiving data at a first location from a network protector subnetwork that includes a plurality of network protectors, wirelessly transmitting at least a portion of the data from the first location, and wirelessly receiving the at least a portion of the data at a second location separate from the first location.

Abstract: A hermetic closed loop fluid system for controlling temperature of a heat source includes at least one component including at least one heat exchanger in contact with the heat source. The heat exchanger is configured to pass a fluid therethrough, wherein the fluid performs thermal exchange with the heat source. A predetermined amount of the fluid remains within the fluid system for a desired amount of operating time. The desired amount of operating time is preferably at least 10 years. Alternatively, the desired amount of operating time is at least 3 years. The predetermined amount of fluid is preferably ninety percent of an initial amount of fluid. Alternatively, the predetermined amount of fluid is seventy five percent of an initial amount of fluid. Still alternatively, at least fifty percent of the fluid can remain within the fluid system for the desired amount of operating time. The fluid can be a single phase fluid. The fluid can also be a two phase fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing an apparatus for circulating a cooling material within a heat exchanger is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a manifold layer and an interface layer. The interface layer comprises one or more narrowing trenches. The manifold layer comprises a plurality of apertures, each positioned on either side of a narrowing trench. In operation, a cooling material is transmitted to an apertures, through a channel defined by the narrowing trench and a bottom surface of the manifold layer, and out an aperture, thereby cooling a heat-generating source coupled to a bottom surface of the interface layer. The method comprises forming a narrowing trench in an interface layer, which exhibits anisotropic etching, by etching the interface layer to form a trench having sloping sidewalls. The method further comprises coupling the interface layer to a manifold layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking objects. Systems of the present invention include a base station capable of transmitting and receiving signals at multiple frequencies. Each object to be tracked has attached to it what for the purpose of the present specification is referred to as an electronic tag (“E-Tag”). Each E-Tag can transmit signals that can be received and interpreted by the base station and each E-Tag can receive and interpret signals transmitted by the base station. The transmitting (and receiving) of signals between the base station and an E-Tag allows the base station to track the E-Tag, and therefore, track the object to which the E-Tag is attached. Methods utilized to track objects in accordance with the present invention vary depending on the distance of the object from a base station (“range” of the object).

Abstract: A liquid cooling system utilizing minimal size and volume enclosures, air pockets, compressible objects, and flexible objects is provided to protect against expansion of water-based solutions when frozen. In such a system, pipes, pumps, and heat exchangers are designed to prevent cracking of their enclosures and chambers. Also described are methods of preventing cracking in a liquid cooling system. In all these cases, the system must be designed to tolerate expansion when water is frozen.

Abstract: A microchannel heat exchanger coupled to a heat source and configured for cooling the heat source comprising a first set of fingers for providing fluid at a first temperature to a heat exchange region, wherein fluid in the heat exchange region flows toward a second set of fingers and exits the heat exchanger at a second temperature, wherein each finger is spaced apart from an adjacent finger by an appropriate dimension to minimize pressure drop in the heat exchanger and arranged in parallel. The microchannel heat exchanger includes an interface layer having the heat exchange region. Preferably, a manifold layer includes the first set of fingers and the second set of fingers configured within to cool hot spots in the heat source. Alternatively, the interface layer includes the first set and second set of fingers configured along the heat exchange region.

Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus and method of manufacturing comprising: an interface layer for cooling a heat source and configured to pass fluid therethrough, the interface layer having an appropriate thermal conductivity and a manifold layer for providing fluid to the interface layer, wherein the manifold layer is configured to achieve temperature uniformity in the heat source preferably by cooling interface hot spot regions. A plurality of fluid ports are configured to the heat exchanger such as an inlet port and outlet port, whereby the fluid ports are configured vertically and horizontally. The manifold layer circulates fluid to a predetermined interface hot spot region in the interface layer, wherein the interface hot spot region is associated with the hot spot. The heat exchanger preferably includes an intermediate layer positioned between the interface and manifold layers and optimally channels fluid to the interface hot spot region.