Abstract: A composite flame barrier includes at least one layer of nonwoven flame resistant fibers, and at least one layer of heat absorbing intumescing expandable graphite held together with polymeric binders and fire resistant fibers in a sheet structure. The composite material provides thermal protection that cannot be achieved using the expandable graphite is alone. By mechanically attaching a nonwoven felt or hydro-entangled nonwoven material to the layer containing expandable graphite, the graphite becomes stabilized and is more resistant to forces that may damage the material (wind, high velocity flames etc.) and decrease or eliminate the thermal performance of the expandable graphite. The composite flame barrier is useful in applications where prolonged fire and heat resistance is required, and has an advantage of being flexible and lightweight.

Abstract: Before writing to a heat-assisted magnetic recording medium, a DC signal modulated with an AC signal is applied to a laser of a read/write head. A modulation level of an optical power sensor is measured, the optical power sensor being coupled to detect optical output of the laser in response to the modulated current. A target value of the DC signal that causes the modulation levels to reach a predetermined value between zero and a maximum value is determined and used to set a bias current for subsequent activation of the laser based.

Abstract: Before writing to a heat-assisted magnetic recording medium, a DC signal modulated with an AC signal is applied to a laser of a read/write head. A modulation level of an optical power sensor is measured, the optical power sensor being coupled to detect optical output of the laser in response to the modulated current. A target value of the DC signal that causes the modulation levels to reach a predetermined value between zero and a maximum value is determined and used to set a bias current for subsequent activation of the laser based.

Abstract: Before writing to a heat-assisted magnetic recording medium, a current of a laser is modulated about a default threshold current level. A modulation level of an optical power sensor is measured, the optical power sensor being coupled to detect optical output of the laser in response to the modulated current. A bias current for subsequent activation of the laser is adjusted based on the modulation level of the optical power sensor.

Abstract: An axially offset foregrip assembly for a long gun has a grip portion having a first grip axis, with a middle portion of the grip portion configured to be grasped by a hand of a user about the first grip axis. The foregrip assembly also has a coupling portion for coupling between the middle portion of the grip portion and a fore-end of a long gun. The long gun has a barrel having a longitudinal axis and a rear grip having a second grip axis, which together define a vertical barrel plane. The coupling portion is configured to couple the grip portion to the fore-end of the long gun such that the first grip axis is in a vertical grip plane horizontally offset from the vertical barrel plane, with the vertical grip plane and the first grip axis substantially parallel to the vertical barrel plane.

Abstract: A high-heeled shoe is provided that includes a base with a receiving area defined in the ball support portion of the base and a cushioning insert positioned in the receiving area. The shoe further includes a support assembly that includes a first heel and a second heel, and is attached to the bottom surface of the base. The first heel and the second heel can be positioned on the support assembly such that the first heel and the second heel are aligned with one another, or the first heel and the second heel can be positioned on the support assembly such that the first heel and the second heel are angled with the first heel crossing the second heel.

Abstract: An axially offset foregrip assembly for a long gun has a grip portion having a first grip axis, the grip portion configured to be grasped by a hand of a user about the first grip axis. The foregrip assembly also has a coupling portion coupled to the grip, the coupling portion configured to be coupled to a fore-end of a long gun. The long gun has a barrel having a longitudinal axis and a rear grip having a second grip axis. The longitudinal axis and the second grip axis define a vertical barrel plane. The coupling portion is configured to couple the grip portion to the fore-end of the long gun such that the first grip axis is plane horizontally offset from the vertical barrel plane, and the first grip axis is substantially parallel to the vertical barrel plane.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the fuel efficiency of a motor vehicle includes electronically receiving data on an ambient environment of a motor vehicle. The data is electronically compared to a current operational status of the vehicle. The current operational status is automatically adjusted based on the comparing to optimize the fuel efficiency of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: To alleviate excessive non-repeatable runout (NRRO) on heads between discs, an original multi-disc design is adapted by (a) reducing the number of discs in the stack and (b) configuring the disc drive of the adapted design with a larger nominal inter-disc separation than that of the original design. In one embodiment, the larger separation is maintained by an increased number of disc spacers between each consecutive pair of the discs in the disc stack of the modified design. The result of such a design adaptation is a disc drive with better performance characteristics than would exist by the original design.

Abstract: To alleviate excessive non-repeatable runout (NRRO) on heads between discs, an original multi-disc design is adapted by (a) reducing the number of discs in the stack and (b) configuring the disc drive of the adapted design with a larger nominal inter-disc separation than that of the original design. In one embodiment, the larger separation is maintained by an increased number of disc spacers between each consecutive pair of the discs in the disc stack of the modified design. The result of such a design adaptation is a disc drive with better performance characteristics than would exist by the original design.