Abstract: An improved hand tool is disclosed having an elongated handle member (40) coupled to a tool head (20) and includes a junction (60) between the handle member and a surface of the tool head that defines an elongated interface. A weld (36) is provided along substantially all of the elongated interface so that the tool head is rigidly attached to a lower end of the handle member. A gripping member (80) is coupled to an upper end of the handle member and has a top portion (88) with an arcuate profile coupled to a bottom portion (90) having a substantially U-shaped profile. The tool head includes a blade member formed of a material having a first thickness and integrally formed with a step member having a second thickness greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: A wireless remote unit performs SPS acquisition interleaved with receiving paging information over a wireless slotted paging channel and receiving data packets over a wireless data communication system. The remote unit tunes to a pilot channel, synchronizes to an internal clock of the wireless remote unit with a pilot signal transmitted over the pilot channel; and starts a search for SPS satellites after completing synchronization with the internal clock.

Abstract: A wireless remote unit performs SPS acquisition interleaved with receiving paging information over a wireless slotted paging channel and receiving data packets over a wireless data communication system. The remote unit tunes to a pilot channel, synchronizes to an internal clock of the wireless remote unit with a pilot signal transmitted over the pilot channel; and starts a search for SPS satellites after completing synchronization with the internal clock.

Abstract: A launchable rigid jacket of an offshore platform has a structure including an exterior framing and a plurality of cross-sectional frame sections. The exterior framing has four outside legs, which are spaced apart to define four corners of a trapezoidal cross section. The jacket also includes two launch runners mounted on adjacent parallel outside legs. The cross-sectional frame sections are horizontally positioned at periodic intervals along the height of the jacket and each has a plurality of members, which interconnect the four outside legs and are part of the exterior framing. The exterior framing in total defines an integral launch box for the jacket. A plurality of perpendicularly oriented conductors pass through each cross-sectional frame from the base to the top of the jacket and conductor guides connected to the respective frame sections slidably engage the conductors to laterally support them.

Abstract: An optical head has a head gimbal assembly on which a light emitting laser is mounted. A tab extends from the assembly and a photo-detector is mounted on the tab. The tab extends from the load beam of the head gimbal assembly. Alternatively, the tab extends from a flexure of the head disk assembly.

Abstract: A launchable rigid jacket of an offshore platform has a structure including an exterior framing and a plurality of cross-sectional frame sections. The exterior framing has four outside legs, which are spaced apart to define four corners of a trapezoidal cross section. The jacket also includes two launch runners mounted on adjacent parallel outside legs. The cross-sectional frame sections are horizontally positioned at periodic intervals along the height of the jacket and each has a plurality of members, which interconnect the four outside legs and are part of the exterior framing. The exterior framing in total defines an integral launch box for the jacket. A plurality of perpendicularly oriented conductors pass through each cross-sectional frame from the base to the top of the jacket and conductor guides connected to the respective frame sections slidably engage the conductors to laterally support them.

Abstract: An optical storage device that is characterized by an actuator assembly movably coupled within said optical information storage apparatus. A narrow buried heterojunction semiconductor laser is coupled to a distal end of the arm so that the arm moves the narrow buried heterojunction semiconductor laser into a near field relationship with an optical medium. A motor spins the optical medium at an operational speed.

Abstract: The current invention substantially removes particulate waste materials or debris from the floptical medium after laser etching. A low-temperature gas containing ice crystals is applied at a predetermined angle while the floptical medium is being rotated to improve the cleaning effect. The temperature of the disk is maintained above freezing to maintain the cleaning effect.

Abstract: The current invention provides an apparatus and method of collecting waste materials produced during laser etching of a floptical medium without blocking access to the medium surface. The invention also improves collection efficiency by applying a uniform low-pressure air around the outer edge of the medium. Because the air pressure is applied around the edge, there is no necessity to coordinate a movement or timing of the current invention with respect to the laser etching unit.

Abstract: The oxidation resistance of a superalloy casting such as an equiaxed, directionally solidified, or single crystal casting, is improved by melting, pouring, or casting the alloy so as to react with a magnesium or calcium-bearing ceramic material. Magnesium or calcium is introduced into the alloy through a controlled reaction between the alloy and the magnesium or calcium-bearing ceramic material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for etching a point on the surface of a magnetic medium to reduce the reflectivity of the point and for verifying that proper etching occurred. A light source provides a collimated incident beam of light. The incident beam is focused to a point on the medium and a portion of the beam is reflected. The reflected beam is separated from the incident beam and the intensity of the reflected beam is measured. The measured intensity is compared to a threshold value and verification is indicated if the measured intensity exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus for etching optical servo tracks on a magnetic storage disk comprises optics for generating a beam of light for etching the servo tracks and a spindle for rotating the disk in proximity to the optics. The device further comprises a center pin at the center of rotation of the spindle and an alignment pin which is off-center of the spindle. A disk to be etched is placed on the spindle with the center pin through a center hole in the disk hub. A pressurized gas nozzle directs bursts of pressurized gas toward the edge of the disk to rotate the disk until an alignment hole in the disk hub engages the alignment pin.

Abstract: Lanosterols substituted in the 14 and/or 15 position(s) which are active in inhibiting lanosta-8,24-dien-3.beta.-ol 14.alpha.-methyl-demethylase activity, suppressing 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) activity, decreasing cholesterol synthesis and reducing serum cholesterol levels are disclosed.

Abstract: Lanosterols substituted in the 14 and/or 15 position(s) which are active in inhibiting lanosta-8,24-dien-3.beta.-ol 14.alpha.-methyl-demethylase activity, suppressing 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) activity, decreasing cholesterol synthesis and reducing serum cholesterol levels are disclosed.

Abstract: A ceramic shell mold and method of making the same. The ceramic shell mold includes a facecoat layer comprised of a first ceramic material. A plurality of alternating layers are formed overlaying the facecoat layer. The alternating layers are comprised of a second ceramic material and a third ceramic material, the third ceramic material having thermophysical properties different than the second ceramic material. The second ceramic material and the third ceramic material are preferably a zircon-based material and an alumina-based material, respectively. The resultant ceramic shell mold has a greater high temperature creep resistance than a shell mold formed solely from the second ceramic material or solely from the third ceramic material.

Abstract: A rotary sliding vane fluid pump having an open rotor and radially extended arms forming slots that support the radially extending vanes. The relative position of the vanes and the inlet and discharge ports provide sealing by the vanes to the pump housing whereas the surface of the rotor does not seal to the pump housing so that radial rotor clearance is not critical. The rotor can be manufactured and assembled at lower cost. The rotor shape uses a minimum of material so that it is lower in weight and gives good pressure loading of the vanes. The open rotor is without closed voids to allow quick draining of the pump.

Abstract: An yttria-based slurry comprising a dense grain yttria powder and a non-aqueous-based binder is used as a mold facecoat and corecoat for investment casting of reactive metals such as titanium and titanium alloys.

Abstract: 1-Thioether-1-acylaminophosphatidylcholine compounds are structural analogs of platelet activating factor and useful for inhibition of phospholipase A.sub.2, reduction of blood pressure, and alleviation of inflammation.