Abstract: A motor controller for a three-phase spindle motor used in the hard disc drive provides pulse width modulated (PWM) signals used to drive the motor. The PWM signals have duty cycles which are a function of rotational position of the motor, a magnitude control signal, a stored set of main waveform coefficients, a stored set of modifier coefficients, and a modifier signal. By varying the modifier signal, the duty cycle of the PWM signals can be varied to adjust the shape of the motor current waveform to match the torque profile of the motor.

Abstract: A valve assembly apparatus includes a Tee-fitting and a rotary valve. The Tee-fitting has first and second end openings and a third side opening. The rotary valve has a rotational axis extending laterally relative to the end openings. The rotary valve includes a first portion connected to the third side opening, and a rotatable portion. The rotatable portion is rotatable between open and closed positions. Intermediate positions define a metering function of the rotary valve. A shutoff function can also be provided.

Abstract: A centralized bicarbonate mixing system is provided for a plurality of dialysis machines of a dialysis clinic. The system includes a source of purified water, a mix tank, an eductor having a hopper for receiving dry bicarbonate material, a mixing pump and a mixing conduit loop connecting the mixing pump, the eductor and the mix tank so that as water is circulated by the mixing pump through the mixing conduit loop, the dry bicarbonate material is drawn into the eductor and mixed with the water. The system further includes a circulation tank, and a transfer conduit connecting the mixing conduit loop to the circulation tank, so that a mixed bicarbonate solution can be transferred from the mixing conduit loop to the circulation tank. The system further includes a circulation pump, and a circulation supply conduit connecting the circulation tank and the circulation pump so that mixed bicarbonate solution can be pumped from the circulation tank to the dialysis machines.

Abstract: A centralized bicarbonate mixing system is provided for a plurality of dialysis machines of a dialysis clinic. The system includes a source of purified water, a mix tank, an eductor having a hopper for receiving dry bicarbonate material, a mixing pump and a mixing conduit loop connecting the mixing pump, the eductor and the mix tank so that as water is circulated by the mixing pump through the mixing conduit loop, the dry bicarbonate material is drawn into the eductor and mixed with the water. The system further includes a circulation tank, and a transfer conduit connecting the mixing conduit loop to the circulation tank, so that a mixed bicarbonate solution can be transferred from the mixing conduit loop to the circulation tank. The system further includes a circulation pump, and a circulation supply conduit connecting the circulation tank and the circulation pump so that mixed bicarbonate solution can be pumped from the circulation tank to the dialysis machines.

Abstract: A flex circuit apparatus for a disc drive is provided and is configured to limit a collapse of a chip during a reflow attachment of the chip to a flex circuit substrate. The apparatus includes a connection pad and a trace operably disposed on an operating surface of the flex circuit substrate. The trace is adjacently and operably connected to the connection pad. A barrier crosses the trace and is configured to limit a flow of material down the trace. In another embodiment, a method for limiting a collapse of a chip during reflow attachment of the chip to a flex circuit substrate is provided.

Abstract: A plumbing system for a pure water supply of a dialysis clinic includes an isolation block assembly to which the various purifying components can be quickly connected and disconnected. The isolation block assembly includes an isolation block which has both a supply passage and a discharge passage defined therethrough. A first self sealing quick connect part is connected to the supply passage outlet. A second self sealing quick connect part is connected to the discharge passage inlet. The purifying component may be connected to the isolation block assembly through the use of flexible conduits having complementary self sealing quick connect parts connected thereto, so that the flexible conduits may be connected to the quick connect parts of the isolation block assembly.

Abstract: A motor drive circuit for a three-phase motor includes a commutator that provides a driving voltage to the motor from a DC voltage source. A sequencer operates the commutator to pulse width modulate the source voltage so that the driving current has a continuously variable waveform, such as a sinusoidal waveform. The sequencer is responsive to an error signal from a phase detector to align the driving voltage waveform with a motor current waveform. The phase detector includes a sensor that senses the motor current and provides a voltage input to first and second sample circuits. The first sample circuit provides a plurality of samples of respective instantaneous values of the sensed voltage, and the second sample circuit provides a sample of a selected instantaneous value of the sensed voltage. An error generation circuit provides an error signal based on a difference between the second sample and each of the plurality of first samples.

Abstract: A system is provided for the heat disinfection of a fluid supply system for a dialysis machine. The system is provided with plastic conduits constructed of a material suitable for heat disinfection, preferably cross linked polyethylene conduit. A source of hot water is provided, and the hot water is flowed through the plastic conduit for sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to disinfect the plastic conduit. This system uses a heat exchanger that utilizes fluid provided from a boiler to heat the water. The fluid supply system may employ bicarbonate fluid.

Abstract: An expansion joint for a fluid piping system is described. The expansion joint is formed of a corrugated cylindrical bellows constrained by a linear sheath within which the expansion joint can contract as the ends of adjacent pipes move closer together due to heat expansion.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for biological-processing unit fluid conveyance and pumping systems. The invention teaches methods of reducing fluid flow resistance and reducing pumping requirements for supplying fluid to the biological-processing unit. Some preferred embodiments of the invention are optimized for dialysis machines and dialysis clinics. In some select embodiments the invention is accomplished utilizing two supply legs in fluid parallel communication. A clinic utilizing fluid parallel supply legs has reduced fluid resistance as compared to a clinic utilizing series arranged supply legs. This reduces initial set-up costs, operating costs and time to construct fluid conveyance systems. Other advantages and embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a portable water treatment facility. The water treatment facility has housing on castors. The housing houses the water treatment member. The housing has various doors which are locked to make the housing tamper resistant. The housing has an external sampling station which allows a technician at any point in time to ensure that all of the liquids being provided by the water treatment member meet specifications. This system has a modular water treatment member consisting of various filters, tanks, and pumps which are attached to one another by short fluid conduits with quick disconnects. The system is computer monitored, capable of remoting data offsite and producing an audit trail capturing system operational parameters and quality of water produced over time.

Abstract: A modular fluid transport system is provided for transporting fluids in a dialysis clinic from a fluid source to the dialysis machines. The system includes modular ductwork and modular fluid conduits. The connecting stations may include quick detachable interface manifolds which allow dialysis machines to be easily changed out. The components of the fluid transport system may be heat sterilized. The components of the system may be prefabricated off site and then quickly assembled in the dialysis clinic. Flexibility in the arrangement of equipment within the clinic is provided for.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention encompasses a fluid vacuum system for vacuuming-up discharge fluid from a fluid source without applying a vacuum to the fluid source. The system comprises a discharge conduit, a vacuum source, and a vacuum-breaker. The discharge conduit is in fluid communication with the fluid source. And, the vacuum-breaker connects the discharge conduit to the vacuum source such that the vacuum source applies a vacuum to the discharge fluid without applying a vacuum to the fluid source. Select embodiments are optimized for use with dialysis machines in dialysis clinics. A closed system, preferably a vacuum system, is provided for disposal of noxious odors and fluids.

Abstract: A manifold system includes an array of conduit outlets fixed in position relative to each other. A fluid connector has two quick connect devices mounted thereon and communicated through a hollow handle, so that a selected pair of the conduit outlets can be placed in fluid communication with each other by simultaneous engagement of the quick connect devices with the selected pair of conduit outlets.

Abstract: A three-phase generator boost circuit for augmenting the back electromotive force produced by a spindle motor of a disk drive is disclosed. First and second nodes provide normal connection to a source of DC voltage for the spindle motor and a second motor connected between the first and second nodes. A commutator is connected to a sequencer to operate the spindle motor. In the event of catastrophic shutdown, two of the lower commutator switches are operated to short circuit the two stator coils having the highest and lowest voltages to store energy in the coils. The commutator switches are then operated to discharge current through the nodes to a storage capacitor for the second motor.

Abstract: A method of lowering blood lipid levels, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of formula I ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1 is hydroxy or a group capable of being removed in vivo to produce a compound of formula I wherein R.sup.1 is OH; andX and Y are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, trifluoromethyl, fluoro, and chloro.

Abstract: A fully redundant safety interlock system is provided comprising, means for detecting the loss of light on a fiber optic link; controller means, coupled to said means for detecting, for determining the safety condition of the link based on the output of said means for detecting, and for controlling the radiant energy output of an optical transmitter, based on the determined safety condition, via redundant output control signals; and means, coupled to said controller means, responsive to said redundant control signals, for interconnecting the output of said controller means to transmitter drive circuitry to thereby adjust the radiant energy output by the transmitter. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller means includes an electronic implementation of two independent state machines, each of which redundantly determines the connection state of the optical link between two optical link cards.