Abstract: A transducer comprises a slider and a laser arrangement. The laser arrangement is configured to heat a region of a magnetic medium in proximity to the slider and produce modulated laser light to cause heat-induced modulation of the slider. The laser arrangement is configured to couple laser light at a power that reduces a coercivity of magnetic material at the region for writing data to or erasing data at the region, and couple modulated laser light to cause heat-induced modulation of the slider at a power lower than the power for writing data to or erasing data at the magnetic medium.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a near-field transducer at or near an air bearing surface of the apparatus. A write pole is disposed at or near the air bearing surface and proximate the near-field transducer, respectively. A thermal sensor is disposed at the air bearing surface and within a protrusion region of the air bearing surface defined relative to at least one of the near-field transducer and the write pole. The thermal sensor is configured to produce a signal indicative of a temperature at the protrusion region.

Abstract: A substrate having a carbon-deuterium protective overcoat layer, and method for making the same. In some embodiments, the substrate includes a recording structure having a magnetic recording layer. A protective overcoat layer is Formed on the recording structure, the protective overcoat layer composed of carbon-carbon (C—C) and carbon-deuterium (C—D) bonds and having no carbon-hydrogen (C—H) bonds.

Abstract: A magnetic data storage medium may include a substrate, a magnetic recording layer, a protective carbon overcoat, and a monolayer covalently bound to carbon atoms adjacent a surface of the protective carbon overcoat. According to this aspect of the disclosure, the monolayer comprises at least one of hydrogen, fluorine, nitrogen, oxygen, and a fluoro-organic molecule. In some embodiments, a surface of a read and recording head may also include a monolayer covalently bound to carbon atoms of a protective carbon overcoat.

Abstract: An apparatus for visually communicating to a pilot in the cockpit of a parked aircraft the status of a preconditioned air (PCA) unit associated with the gate has an electrically controlled PCA indicator box positioned so that it is visible to the pilot in the cockpit. The PCA indicator box has a first appearance when the preconditioned air unit is not operating and a second appearance when the preconditioned air unit is operating. A method of assisting aircraft operators to reduce fuel costs and emissions of an aircraft parked at a gate includes mounting to the gate an electrical PCA indicator and electrically coupling it to a preconditioned air unit at the gate.

Abstract: A method includes: forming a recording layer on a substrate and depositing a nanocomposite layer on the recording layer, the nanocomposite layer including a wear-resistant material and a solid lubricant material, wherein the atomic percentage of the solid lubricant material in the nanocomposite layer is in a range from about 5% to about 99%.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source, a slider including a sensor having a resistance or voltage that varies with the temperature of the sensor, the sensor being mounted to be heated by a portion of light emitted by the light source, and a controller controlling the light source power in response to the resistance or voltage of the sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic data storage medium may include a substrate, a magnetic recording layer, a protective carbon overcoat, and a monolayer covalently bound to carbon atoms adjacent a surface of the protective carbon overcoat. According to this aspect of the disclosure, the monolayer comprises at least one of hydrogen, fluorine, nitrogen, oxygen, and a fluoro-organic molecule. In some embodiments, a surface of a read and recording head may also include a monolayer covalently bound to carbon atoms of a protective carbon overcoat.

Abstract: An active array heat sink cooled by natural free convection is disclosed. A long extruded heat sink is partitioned into multiple, shorter zones separated by gaps having horizontal baffles. The gaps and baffles serve to act as air vents and air inlets for the convection currents. As such, the heat transfer for the overall heat sink is improved because hot convection currents are vented and replaced by cool ambient air along the length of the heat sink.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a storage medium, a substrate separated from the storage medium by a gap, and a plurality of spacers defining a distance between the storage medium and the substrate, wherein the spacers include a curved end.

Abstract: The performance of a PCA unit associated with an airport gate is monitored by a temperature sensor in the stream of output air leaving the PCA unit, to produce a signal indicative of the temperature of the output air that may be compared to an acceptable range of values, or to the temperature of air input to the PCA unit (as measured by a second temperature sensor). An alert is generated to a human operator if the temperature measured does not compare favorably with the desired range.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a storage media having a surface coated with a lubricant, and a plurality of probes having tips contacting the lubricant, wherein the probes are coated with one of a fluorocarbon, perfluoropolyether, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polyethylene, or a hydrocarbon polymer.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a probe having a first conductive element, a second conductive element and an insulator layer positioned between the first conductive element and the second conductive element.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a storage medium, a substrate separated from the storage medium by a gap, and a plurality of spacers defining a distance between the storage medium and the substrate, wherein the spacers include a curved end.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a storage media having a surface coated with a lubricant, and a plurality of probes having tips contacting the lubricant, wherein the probes are coated with one of a fluorocarbon, perfluoropolyether, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polyethylene, or a hydrocarbon polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for setting pilot signal transit powers in a CDMA system. Subscriber units (211,213,215) perform pilot signal measurement measurements and transmits these to a receiver (603). A processor (605) determines a ranking factor for each cell (217, 219,221) at least partly dependent on the pilot signal measurement and a cell overlap condition of the subscriber unit (211, 213, 215) during measurements. The processor (605) ranks the cells (217,219,221) according to the ranking factor, and sets the pilot signal transmit power of at least one cell in response to the ranking of the cells by adjusting a power amplifier (609). The cell overlap condition is determined as the handover state of the subscriber unit (211,213,215) or as the number of cells, which can be received by the subscriber unit (211,213,215) during the measurement The invention is applicable to 3rd generation cellular communication systems.

Abstract: A method for producing a valve-regulated lead acid battery includes the steps of (i) providing a battery comprising a preformed positive electrode plate, a preformed negative electrode plate and a porous separator mat having pores and being compressibly disposed between the electrodes to define a cell assembly, and a container for securably and sealingly holding the cell assembly; (ii) forming a electrolyte mixture comprising an aqueous colloidal dispersion of silica and sulfuric acid that is a precursor to a flowable thixotropic gel; (iii) applying a vacuum to the container; and (iv) introducing a quantity of the gel-precursor electrolyte into the container under a vacuum so that the flowable electrolyte mixture penetrates into the pores of the compressed mat, whereby as the acid absorbs onto the plates, the flowable electrolyte solidifies and forms a thixotropic gel within the pores and around peripheral edges of the mat to surround and seal the cell assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for protecting against cataract development during and after a vitreous replacement, and for treating cataracts in a subject. The methods include using, for vitreous replacement in a vitrectomy, a vitreous replacement solution having a lower oxygen concentration than an air-saturated vitreous replacement solution. The compositions include low-oxygen-concentration vitreous replacement solutions, which may comprise reduced glutathione and/or ascorbic acid. Also provided are methods of using the compositions, during a vitreous replacement or vitrectomy, to protect against cataract development in a subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for setting pilot signal transit powers in a CDMA system. Subscriber units (211,213,215) perform pilot signal measurement measurements and transmits these to a receiver (603). A processor (605) determines a ranking factor for each cell (217, 219,221) at least partly dependent on the pilot signal measurement and a cell overlap condition of the subscriber unit (211, 213, 215) during measurements. The processor (605) ranks the cells (217,219,221) according to the ranking factor, and sets the pilot signal transmit power of at least one cell in response to the ranking of the cells by adjusting a power amplifier (609). The cell overlap condition is determined as the handover state of the subscriber unit (211,213,215) or as the number of cells, which can be received by the subscriber unit (211,213,215) during the measurement The invention is applicable to 3rd generation cellular communication systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording medium having a solid lubricating layer that has increased thermal stability over traditional solid lubricants. The lubricating layer includes amorphous fluorinated carbon doped with a thermally stabilizing dopant, such as N or SiO2. In one embodiment, a method of lubricating the recording medium by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition is also provided.