Abstract: Systems include an automatic card shuffler and a shoe. The automatic card shuffler may include a printing device for applying a randomly selected set symbol on each card of a set of cards. The shoe may include a set symbol reader for reading each card for a presence and identity of a set symbol. A shoe processor may be configured to receive a signal from a shuffler processor indicating the selected set symbol to enable the shoe processor to verify that each card belongs to the set of cards. An automatic card shuffler includes a processor programmed to randomly select a card set symbol and a card-marking system for forming the randomly selected set symbol on cards. Methods include forming a randomly determined set symbol on each card of a set of cards and detecting whether cards include a set symbol matching the determined set symbol.

Abstract: An automatic card shuffler to shuffle eight decks of cards (or less) and deal a round of Baccarat. The automatic shuffler comprises two pre-shuffle bins, each receiving approximately four decks of cards wherein the pre-shuffle bins are spaced apart from one another with card slides directing to a card-receiving area. Cards are randomly selected from the cards in each of the pre-shuffle bins and propelled onto the card slides directing the cards to the card-receiving area. Once a sufficient number of buffer cards (e.g., seven) have been deposited into the card-receiving area, a card flipper moves the seven cards against a face plate of an integral dealing shoe. A buffer-holder member maintains the buffer cards against the face plate for dealing as the card flipper returns to a home position to receive more shuffled cards while buffer cards are being dealt in a round of Baccarat.

Abstract: Card-handling devices may include a randomizer configured to randomize ordering of playing cards in a set of playing cards. An output may be configured to present a group of cards at a time from the randomizer for removal from the card-handling device. An image capturer may be positioned and configured to capture image data of at least a portion of each playing card handled by the randomizer, the image data comprising at least a suit and a rank of each playing card. A nontransitory memory device may be operatively connected to the randomizer and to the image capturer, the nontransitory memory device configured to store at least the image data and group assignment data of each playing card in each group of cards presented for removal by the output. A display may be operatively connected to the nontransitory memory, the display configured to display a history of the image data and group assignment data of each playing card in each group of cards presented for removal by the output upon request.

Abstract: A game is disclosed having two or more players, each player has a set of game pieces with the same front, and the back having an indication of rock, paper, or scissors. A game board has pre-designated positions for initial positioning of each player's game pieces such that each player may see the back of their respective game pieces and only the front of any other players', one of the positions being the winning position. In turn, each player moves any of their game pieces to an adjacent open position or may challenge another player to a position occupied by that player, the challenge being resolved in the traditional manner. The losing piece is removed from the board or, if a tie, the game pieces are left unchanged. Play ends upon one player occupying the winning position without being able to be challenged by any remaining player.

Abstract: A lottery game is linked to a televised game show having a plurality of mini-games followed by a final bonus game. An audience is defined for the game show composed of members from a plurality of different lottery jurisdictions, and audience members are selected for play of a plurality of mini-games conducted during taping of the game show. A plurality of substitute mini-games are separately conducted and taped such that at least one substitute mini-game having a winner from each lottery jurisdiction is taped and stored. One or more winners of the actual mini-games are selected for play of the final bonus. The original version of the taped game show is prepared for broadcast to all of the lottery jurisdictions. The broadcast intended for transmission to any lottery jurisdiction that does not have a winner of an actual mini-game in the original taped version is modified by inserting into the broadcast one of the substitute mini-games having a winner from the respective lottery jurisdiction.

Abstract: An entertainment method comprising shaking a master die and a plurality of scoring dice, and accumulating turn points when a reference designation shown by at least one shaken scoring die corresponds to a master designation shown by the shaken master die, forfeiting turn points when no reference designation of the shaken scoring dice corresponds to any master designation shown by the shaken master die, and collecting a scoring token 16 when the shaken master die shows a token designation.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a server having a basket containing a set of events, each event having an element of predictability and an element of randomness. User devices connected to the server accept user selections with respect to a pre-determined game and each user selection includes an ordered list of a subset of the basket. The gaming system has a way to determine results of the plurality of events and a way to determine if any of the user selections matches the results, and if so, declaring a winner.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for controlling electronic devices in an interactive gaming environment. Embodiments detect a first interactive game is playing within the physical environment using one or more electronic devices. User movement is monitored using at least one sensor device within the physical environment and user speech is monitored using one or more microphone sensor devices within the physical environment. Upon determining that the user movement matches a predefined series of user actions and that the user speech matches a corresponding predefined speech pattern, embodiments determine a gameplay action corresponding to both the predefined series of user actions and the predefined speech pattern and transmit an instruction, to at least one of the one or more electronic devices within the physical environment, instructing the electronic device to perform the determined gameplay action.

Abstract: The present invention enhances the player's gameplay visual, feedback and other experiences by taking advantage of optical adapters, feedback mechanics, advancements in theatrical audio, frame rate throttle, meta-file object framework for storage and retrieval, calibration advancements, vocal command enhancements, voice object lookups, facial/body scan, color/clothing coordination, party or celebration capabilities, noise cancellation, interactive object placement, heart rate monitor, pan-tilt-zoom camera advances, cooperative gameplay advances and programming advancements.

Abstract: An example attachment is attachable to a game controller including a controller-side slide portion on which a controller-side operation button is provided. The attachment includes a strap and an attachment-side slide portion, the attachment-side slide portion having a first side and a second side opposite to each other in a predetermined slide direction. The attachment-side slide portion is provided on a first surface of the attachment, wherein the attachment-side slide portion is configured to slidably engage with the controller-side slide portion in the predetermined slide direction. The controller-side slide portion is insertable into the attachment-side slide portion from the first side.

Abstract: A device directed to a combination computing and input device. The computing device providing a plurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides are disposed between an electronic display screen and a back of the computing device. The input device communicates with the computing device and provides a pair of control modules adjacent to and confining the computing device on at least two opposing sides of the computing device. The input device further provides a structural bridge securing the pair of control modules one to the other, a touch sensitive input module, and a full function keyboard. The structural bridge adaptively and snugly accommodate the length of the computing device. A first of the pair of control modules features a retention mechanism communicating with the structural bridge, which snugly accommodates the length of the computing device.

Abstract: A game system includes a game device at least including a control unit, a storage unit, an output unit, an input unit and a send unit; a display device, integrally formed with the game device or separately formed from the game device, at least including an input unit connected to the game device and a display unit; and a data processing apparatus at least including a control unit, a storage unit, an output unit and a receive unit, wherein the control unit of the game device causes a game to progress by executing a game program, and controls the send unit to send a signal to the data processing apparatus when a predetermined condition is satisfied in accordance with a progression status of the game, and wherein in the data processing apparatus, when the receive unit receives the signal, the control unit performs a predetermined process based on the signal.

Abstract: An example game controller has a memory storing first and second operation times at which the operations onto the first and second operation members have been performed, and a first control circuit. The first control circuit transmits to a main body apparatus, a connection signal. The main body apparatus has a second control circuit. The second control circuit performs processing for establishing connection with the game controller in response to the connection signal, and transmits to the game controller, a request signal when the processing for establishing connection is completed. The first control circuit transmits the information on the operation time stored in the memory to the main body apparatus in response to the request signal. The second control circuit determines whether or not the operations satisfy a predetermined condition based on the operation time, and registers a first operation scheme when a result of determination is affirmative.

Abstract: A game system in which game sessions involving player(s) may be recorded and saved as game records. A player or other entity may offer or market the game records to other players via one or more channels such as websites. The game records may be offered in exchange for virtual or real currency, or for free. Player profiles for the player(s) that recorded the original game session may be provided with the game records. A player that obtains a game record may replay the recorded game session to watch the game play, or alternatively may choose to participate in the replay by assuming control of a character in the game to play with the original player's character as simulated according to the player's profile. If a player steps into a game session being replayed, a new universe/timeline may be spawned and saved as a new game record.

Abstract: Provided is a method that includes generating sets of rendering commands for rendering video content for a client device and directing each of the sets of rendering commands to at least one rendering resource from a group of at least two rendering resources, such that each of the rendering resources has at least some of the sets of rendering commands directed to it. The action of directing may include directing each set of rendering commands to a rendering resource, from among the at least two rendering resources, that is designated as an allocated rendering resource for the client device. The method may further include changing which of the at least two rendering resources is designated as the allocated rendering resource for the client device.

Abstract: A system includes an emitter, a receiver, a wireless communications module, and a user interface module. The emitter, controlled by a first player, emits an emitter signal that includes emitter identification information. The receiver receives the emitter signal and generates a receiver signal that includes the emitter identification information. The gameplay cloud interface module receives the receiver signal and communicates an indication that includes player identification information associated the emitter identification information. The gameplay cloud interface module is further configured to receive scoring information that is based on the player identification information. The user interface module presents gameplay information based on the scoring information to the first player.

Abstract: A system (10) includes a video game play ecosystem (12) and a smart device (14) communicating with each other through a short-range wireless bidirectional communication link (16). The system enables user creation of a display spatial data template in the video game play ecosystem and storage of the display spatial data template in the smart device located outside the video game play ecosystem. The user creates the display spatial data template in real time during game play by manipulating an input device (18) connected to a command processing device (20) on which the video game is operating. The user can retrieve the stored display spatial data template during game play at a later time. The system is advantageous in that the storage and retrieval of the display spatial data template makes minimal use of the ecosystem resources, including processing power, bandwidth capacity, and display screen real estate.

Abstract: A forward direction line is set on a course, in a virtual game world, on which a player object is allowed to move. An advancing direction at a current position of the player object is determined based on the forward direction line. The advancing direction is determined as a direction in which the player object advances so as to control a movement of a player character in accordance with an acceleration instruction, and a leftward-rightward movement instruction from a player. Consequently, it is possible to assist the player in controlling a direction in which an object operated by the player moves.

Abstract: Provided are an electronic apparatus, an electronic system and a control method thereof. The electronic apparatus is used for controlling a multi-field-of-view display apparatus, wherein the multi-field-of-view display apparatus has multiple view areas each of which covers the entire display area of the multi-field-of-view display apparatus and displays one picture respectively, and the electronic apparatus controls the multi-field-of-view display apparatus such that at least two pictures among the pictures simultaneously displayed in the view areas are based on different angles of view. The electronic apparatus is applicable to multi-person games, and enables multiple players to view pictures with different game scenes through the same screen, and would not reduce visual experience due to reduction of screen area that needs to be viewed by each player.

Abstract: A multi-player game environment is created for single-player use. A user may select a single-player game or a multi-player game. When the user chooses a multi-player game, the user is prompted to select one or more customized AI characters. The AI characters may be available individually or in themed “packs.” The selected AI character or pack may be downloaded, stored, or otherwise made accessible to an electronic entertainment system. The user may select a mode or skill level for each AI character. The user may begin playing the game in a multi-player mode with the game environment populated with an avatar effectuating behaviors of the selected AI character or characters.

Abstract: A first display control unit displays an item selecting screen, which receives a selection of at least one of a plurality of items, on a display unit. A second display control unit displays a setting screen on the display unit in response to a first operation for selecting at least one of the items in a case where the item selecting screen is being displayed, the setting screen receiving a change of content of the selected item. The item selecting screen includes an area displaying information on content of a specified item among the plurality of items. A change control unit changes the content of the specified item displayed on the area in response to a second operation that is different from the first operation, in a case where the item selecting screen is being displayed.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, systems and apparatus for determining a player position in an instance of a game. Embodiments include retrieving a placement value for each player in a set of players wherein the placement value represents a relative measure of advantages and disadvantages related to position experienced by each player in prior game instances; and determining player position assignments for a current game instance based upon the placement values. In one embodiment, determining player position assignments includes determining a number of lottery entries for each player based on the placement value of each player, the lottery entries being used to determine player positions for the players in a current instance of a game. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: The systems and methods are directed towards object driven attributes for characters within a network-based game. More specifically, characters within a network-based game have various attributes that are influenced with the association and/or possession of objects provided by the user. These user-provided objects impact one or more attributes possessed by a character within the network-based game thereby influencing the character's actions, personality and motivations. In other embodiments, the characters within the network-based game communicate with players using a variety of methods such as social media, e-mail and text. The communications provide in-game updates for the player to view. The player can provide natural language commands or responses for the characters that may influence the character's actions within the game.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving an ordered set of images and analyzing the images to determine at least one position in space and at least one motion vector in space and time for at least one object represented in the images is disclosed. Using these vectors, a four dimensional model of at least a portion of the information represented in the images is formulated. This model generally obeys the laws of physics, though aberrations may be imposed. The model is then exercised with an input parameter, which, for example, may represent a different perspective than the original set of images. The four dimensional model is then used to produce a modified set of ordered images in dependence on the input parameter and optionally the set of images, e.g., if only a portion of the data represented in the images is modeled. The set of images may then be rendered on a display device.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for generation of vision recognition references from user-selected content. The method comprises receiving data corresponding to a user selected content, generating a vision recognition reference from the data, associating a game behavior descriptor with the vision recognition reference, wherein the game behavior descriptor correspond to a game behavior instance, and storing the vision recognition reference and the associated game behavior descriptor in a database, wherein the database includes a plurality of pre-defined vision recognition references, and wherein each of the plurality of pre-defined vision recognition references correspond to at least one pre-defined game behavior descriptor. The method may further comprise receiving user input corresponding to the user-selected content, retrieving the vision recognition reference and the associated game behavior descriptor from the database and initiating the game behavior in a corresponding game.

Abstract: Detecting lag switch cheating in a gaming network is disclosed. Data packets are received from a client. The data packets have tracking data including at least one of a sequence number and a time stamp. The tracking data is monitored to determine that a cheat-detection event has occurred.

Abstract: A game device for controlling a game in which a function is applied to a movable object by moving an aiming cursor to be superimposed on the movable object, includes a cursor moving unit for moving the aiming cursor according to a user's operation; a specific region setting unit for setting a specific region on a screen, in which the aiming cursor is movable; a cursor within region setting unit for setting a size of the aiming cursor within the specific region so as to change the size of the aiming cursor according to a location within the specific region; and a specific region moving unit for moving the specific region according to a user's operation before a movement of the movable object is started.

Abstract: A player character is placed so as to be linked to a given edge position of a board. A plurality of puzzle pieces including an enemy character piece that represents an enemy character are placed on the board. The player inputs a selection path from the puzzle piece situated at the given edge position or the player character without removing the finger from the board so as to select and delete puzzle pieces among the plurality of puzzle pieces that are placed on the board and belong to an identical type, or are considered to belong to an identical type. When the enemy character piece lies in the selection path, the player character that corresponds to the puzzle piece set to be the start point, or the player character set to be the start point, attacks the enemy character represented by the enemy character piece.

Abstract: A freely assemblable toy track includes a plurality of guide rails and connecting pieces, each guide rail includes two independent strip rails (1) at the left and right, each connecting piece is configured as a frame piece (2) provided with a connecting part at a corresponding position of an inner frame edge for connecting with an end of each strip rail (1), ends of the two strip rails (1) are respectively connected to connecting parts of two frame pieces (2) to form a track body having a track surface with a middle portion hollowed, and a toy vehicle can locate left and right wheels on the left and right strip rails (1) exactly to run along the track. Based on a width of the toy vehicle, the frame pieces (2) with a corresponding width can be chosen to connect the strip rails (1), thus broadening the width of the tracks.

Abstract: A hover-control method for multirotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) upcast at any angle to take off is applied to correct at least one tilt angle of the multirotor UAV by dual-feedback schemes. When any of the at least one tilt angle is greater than a corresponding angle limitation, an open feedback scheme is executed to drive a plurality of motors of the multirotor UAV until a predetermined condition is achieved. When all of the at least one tilt angle are not larger than the respective angle limitations, a negative feedback scheme is executed to drive the motors of the multirotor UAV until a hover condition is achieved.

Abstract: A robot with an elastic, spherically-shaped body with controlled bouncing locomotion. This robot may be called “a robotic bouncing ball.” The robotic bouncing ball can be used to provide a new class of robotic characters that are ball-like, and these new robotic characters bounce in place and from one location to another. The spherical body will typically be formed with a thin wall of elastic material such as a rubber or the like, and a drive or actuator assembly along with a local controller and a power source are positioned in the interior space of the hollow body. The controller controls the drive assembly to cause the spherical body to bounce up and down vertically and to provide horizontal/lateral movement of the spherical body through the applications of deforming and/or reforming forces on the elastic outer wall.

Abstract: System and method of treating waste water includes: receiving waste water at a first pressure and a first temperature, the waste water comprising dissolved solids and VOCs; pressurizing the waste water to a second pressure; preheating the pressurized waste water to a second temperature to produce distilled water and pressurized/preheated water; heating the pressurized/preheated to a third temperature to produce pressurized/heated water; removing dissolved solids from the pressurized/heated water, by an evaporator operated at a third pressure less than the second pressure, to produce steam and brine water; and crystallizing the brine water, by a crystallizer operated at a fourth pressure greater than the second pressure, to produce a solid mass waste product and steam. Steam produced by the crystallizer, at the fourth pressure and a fourth temperature, is a heat source for the preheater and/or heater, and steam produced by the evaporator is a heat source for the crystallizer.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminants such as pesticides and fungicides from cannabinoid extracts. Cannabinoid extracts containing contaminants may be dissolved in a water and ethanol solution, and then cooled to allow water-soluble contaminants to settle out of the mixture. The water and ethanol may then be removed via evaporation or distillation, leaving purified cannabinoids without contaminants. Contaminant removal may be incorporated into a method for producing a blended extract of cannabinoids and terpenes, which extracts terpenes using supercritical CO2, and extracts a cannabinoid concentrate from the residual material using a cold ethanol flush followed by distillation and then by contaminant removal; the CO2-extracted terpenes are then added back to the purified cannabinoid concentrate in a final blending step. Blending terpenes at the end of extraction may enhance the flavor and effectiveness of the purified cannabinoid concentrate.

Abstract: A method of the present invention for producing a halohydantoin compound by refining, in a dryer (1), a composition containing at least one of water and elemental halogen, an organic solvent, and the halohydantoin compound, the method includes the steps of: (i) removing the organic solvent from the composition; and (ii) removing the at least one of the water and the elemental halogen from the composition refined in the step (i).

Abstract: Device for heating a substrate includes a process chamber having a first and a second sealable opening for a substrate to pass through, a first inlet for receiving a process gas and a first outlet for discharging an off-gas; an evaporator for evaporating the material, which evaporator device is connected to the chamber for supplying the process gas; a first condensation device connected to the chamber for receiving the off-gas and condensing the material in the vapour phase in the off-gas to form a solid phase and a second condensation device for condensing part of the material in vapour phase in the off-gas to form a liquid phase, which second condensation device connects the first condensation device to the discharge duct and a connecting duct between the evaporator device and the second condensation device for transporting material in the liquid phase between the second condensation device and the evaporator.

Abstract: Provided is an extraction system which can be used to recover light oils and other organic materials during a supercritical or subcritical fluid extraction. The extraction system may include a dual purpose pressure vessel which can be used as an independent, full spectrum extractor by adding organic material within a compartment within the vessel and passing liquefied, compressed gases onto and through organic material as well as a separator to separate the extracting fluid from the extracted material. Filter membranes having different size pore openings designed to capture and retain various compounds based on their molecular size may be used in conjunction with the pressure vessel. The filter membranes are part of a filtration system which may be incorporated as an internal component of the pressure vessel or may be utilized at different locations within the extraction system.

Abstract: A parallel assembly (2; 11; 51) of chromatography column modules (3a,b,c; 13a,b,c; 53a,b,c, 90a, b), the assembly having one common assembly inlet (15; 55) and one common assembly outlet (17; 57), each column module comprising a bed space (29) filled with chromatography medium and each column module comprises integrated fluid conduits which when the column module is connected with other column modules are adapted to connect the bed space (29) of the column module with the assembly inlet (15; 55) and the assembly outlet (17; 57), wherein the total length and/or volume of the fluid conduit from the assembly inlet to one bed space together with the length and/or volume of the fluid conduit from the same bed space to the assembly outlet is substantially the same for all bed spaces and modules installed in the parallel assembly.

Abstract: Methods of regenerating apatite surfaces, for example after purification of a target analyte. The methods include, for example, regeneration that can involve contacting the apatite solid surface with a buffered calcium solution and a zwitterionic buffer, then contacting the apatite solid surface with a phosphate buffered solution, and then contacting the apatite solid surface with a solution comprising a hydroxide.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for column chromatography, which provide improvements in separation resolution and detection sensitivity, comprising a chromatography column having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is configured to introduce a flow of mobile phase into the column carrying a sample, wherein the inlet is further configured to introduce the flow of mobile phase into the column in at least two separate portions which are independently controllable, and to introduce the portions into different radial regions of the column, such that the portions flow longitudinally through the column in different radial regions. The sample preferably is contained in one of the portions, especially a central portion, in a higher concentration than in the other portion(s). Preferably the flow velocities of the portions are independently controllable.

Abstract: Novel materials for chromatographic separations, processes for their preparation, and separation devices containing the chromatographic materials. In particular, hybrid inorganic/organic monolith materials comprising a polymerized scaffolding nanocomposite (PSN), wherein the nanocomposite contains a scaffolding functionality capable of chemically interacting with a surface of a second material are described. The hybrid inorganic/organic materials have enhanced wall adhesion and increased resistance to shrinkage as compared to prior art monolith materials. The improved adhesion of the monoliths enable the preparation of capillary columns with an internal diameter (I.D.) ?50 ?m.

Abstract: A method to continuously clean a fouled process stream using a magnetic field comprising feeding the fouled process stream, comprising a fouling constituent, to a magnetic separation unit. The magnetic separation unit comprising a separation vessel configured to receive the fouled process stream, a mounted magnet configured to generate the magnetic field operable to reduce a concentration of the fouling constituent. The mounted magnet comprising a magnet motor configured to rotate a shaft, the shaft configured to rotate a magnet, and the magnet configured to generate the magnetic field. A circulation pump fluidly connected to the separation vessel and a sampling point configured to allow removal of a sample. The method further includes measuring the concentration of the fouling constituent in the sample and supplying an effluent stream from the separation vessel to a clean collection vessel.

Abstract: A wash separator comprises a vessel containing a first fluid and a second fluid whereby the second fluid has a different density from the first fluid. The first fluid (3) is immiscible with the second fluid and the first and second fluids are separated from each other by an interface. A feed stream comprising a dispersion of the first and second fluid wherein the second fluid forms a disperse phase in the form of droplets is distributed within the first fluid in the vessel forming a continuous phase. A distribution element is provided in the vessel to distribute the feed stream into the second fluid. The feed stream after having been discharged from the distribution element has a retention time of at most 15 minutes in the feed second fluid in the vessel.

Abstract: A precision pump system having a motor driver for accurately and repeatedly delivering process fluid, (e.g., photo chemicals) using a pumping fluid with minimal process fluid loss to a fabrication process and whereby the motor driver can be easily and quickly replaced without interrupting the fluid flow path. This is accomplished with the use of a gas removal reservoir having at least one vertical partition therein and at least one free end near a top side of the gas removal reservoir where both the input and output to the gas removal reservoir are located on a bottom surface and a pumping fluid reservoir that are associated with the pump, either integrated with the pump or closely adjacent. In addition, this precision pump system can be remotely monitored, viewed and controlled over the Internet. In addition, trapped process fluid within a downstream filtering block can be recirculated to the gas removal reservoir when trapped gas in the filter is removed.

Abstract: A filter for a water cooling system in a marine drive includes a cavity having an upper side and a lower side, a water inlet that delivers a water flow into the cavity, and a water outlet that delivers water out of the cavity. The flow velocity of water within the cavity is low such that heavy debris sinks toward the lower side of the cavity and buoyant debris floats toward the upper side of the cavity. An upper debris outlet expels the buoyant debris out of the cavity and a lower debris outlet expels the heavy debris out of the cavity.

Abstract: Container to be used for preparing a multi-layered blood product by centrifugation, said container comprising a substantially cylindrical body (2) with a closed bottom (3) and a top (4) having a filling opening as well as a filter device (15), which is slidable inside the container (1). The filing opening is closed by means of a penetrable membrane (13), and the filter device (15) comprises a substantially planar mesh (16) and a supporting buoyancy body (18). In addition to this, there are means (35, 36, 39, 40, 42), for releasable fixation of the filter device (15) adjacent to the bottom (3) of the container (1).

Abstract: A method for producing a composite filter tube and filter element made of a multilayer metal mesh and metal powders, including: knitting to obtain metal meshes of different mesh numbers, obtaining a layered structure by means of a lamination method, then putting the layered structure in a vacuum furnace for sintering processing, sintering a metal composite layer to obtain a composite filter sheet and tube made of a multilayer metal mesh and metal powders with a multilayer metal mesh as a structure support layer and a metal powder sinter structure as a filter layer, then rolling the composite filter sheet and tube into a tubular filter element by using a shaping machine, and welding to obtain a composite filter tube and filter element product made of a multilayer metal mesh and metal powders.

Abstract: The present invention describes an assembly of magnets to be coupled to oil filter case to attract ferrous material. Oil filter case [20] takes the shape of a cylinder. Magnet [22] has two poles and one of the poles is coupled to the side of oil filter case [20]. A steel member [24] is provided to couple only the other pole of the magnet [22] with the oil filter case [20]. The steel member [24] comprises a pivot unit [26] that couples the pole of magnet, a pivot extender [28] which couples the pivot unit [26] and a bridge [30] that couples the pivot extender [28] with oil filter case [20]. The magnet assembly directs the magnetic field from outward pole towards the oil filter to create a pseudo horse shoe magnet effect.

Abstract: Described are cleaning devices intended for immersion in water of swimming pools and spas. The devices beneficially may be pressure-side cleaners attached indirectly to outlets of water-circulation pumps. The supply of pressurized water travelling from a pump to such a device may be employed for various purposes, including directing debris-laden water to or near tops of debris collection chambers. The water exiting nozzles associated with the devices may push, rather than pull, the debris-laden water toward the collection chambers. Some nozzles may be oriented approximately parallel to a to-be-cleaned pool surface, and curved tubes may be employed to direct water and debris flow to perimeters of the cleaners.

Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a key ring with at least first and second protrusions to engage a lock-out assembly in a filter head, permitting the cartridge to connect to the filter head. A filter system includes a filter assembly, including a filter cartridge and a cartridge housing, connected to a filter head, in which the filter head includes an adapter assembly with a lock-out mechanism. The lock-out mechanism is unlocked by a key ring on the filter cartridge. A method of installing a filter assembly includes using protrusions on a key ring on a filter cartridge to unlock an adapter assembly in a filter head to allow for connection between the filter assembly and the filter head.

Abstract: A separator (1) for separating contaminants from a fluid stream having entrained particulate contaminants, comprises a cylindrical dividing wall (28) concentrically arranged within an impaction surface (35). The cylindrical dividing wall defines a first chamber (42) into which a fluid stream enters and flows axially through. The dividing wall has apertures (29) through which the fluid stream passes towards the impaction surface. As the fluid impacts the impaction surface, the contaminants are separated from the fluid and flow down to an oil outlet (23). A diaphragm (31) moves along an axis to adjust the open cross-sectional area of the apertures in the dividing wall according to a pressure differential between fluid pressure in the first chamber and a pressure reference by moving along the dividing wall to progressively occlude the apertures. The apertures are spaced so that there is no overlap between them along the actuator axis.