Abstract: An improved prefeeder assembly for shingling planar sheets in which a sheet stack is positioned on a prefeeder lift conveyor which lowers the sheet stack into a floor pit to incrementally elevate the sheet stack. A block pusher assembly sequentially pushes bock segments to a conveyor assembly where a shingling assembly shingles the sheets. A bottom sheet removal assembly having an in-path diverter plate contacts and diverts only the bottom sheet of the bottommost block segment as this block segment is being shingled. As shingled sheets are discharged to other process equipment, a tamping assembly tamps the sheet edges for uniform restacking.

Abstract: A method for following data tracks on data surfaces of a disc drive by organizing the data tracks in concentric cylinders including servo tracks on a dedicated servo surface and following servo tracks with a servo transducer that is offset from the servo track to align selected data transducers with the data tracks. To measure the offset for each data surface, a calibration correction track is written to one data surface while a track on the servo surface is followed and the correction track is read by a thermal calibration circuit while following the servo track with an offset to obtain a calibration correction indicative of electronic offsets in the thermal calibration circuit.

Abstract: A final rinse/dry system for critical cleaning applications is provided having an ultrafiltration unit for providing an ultrapurified liquid to a holding chamber. A liquid conduit assembly connects the ultrafiltration unit to the holding chamber and controls the flow of the ultrapurified liquid therethrough. A liquid discharge assembly is connected to the liquid conduit assembly to selectively drain liquid from the holding chamber and the liquid conduit assembly. An inert gas conduit assembly provides the holding chamber with an inert atmosphere during drying, and a purge assembly is connected to the inert gas conduit assembly to bleed inert gas through the purge assembly to prevent contaminant build-up in the inert gas conduit assembly during the non-operating time thereof.

Abstract: A cryogenic system for recovering a gas product stream and a liquid product stream from a hydrocarbon gas stream is provided which operates at process temperature of -50.degree. F. or less. A portion of a refrigerating liquid stream and a cooled liquid stream produced during operation of the cryogenic system are passed heat exchange relationship with an inlet vapor stream and define a partially closed refrigeration loop. The partially closed refrigeration loop permits the low process temperatures to be achieved.

Abstract: A control system is provided for an ion implanter having an electron shower filament and a Faraday flag provided wherein the electron shower output is adjusted to maintain substantially continuous control of disk current during implantation, the control of the disk current of a target wafer during implantation being achieved by electrically isolating the target wafer, monitoring the disk current, and maintaining the electron shower filament current of the ion implanter at a level which permits rapid adjustment of the disk current during the time period required to close the Faraday flag.

Abstract: An expanding valve assembly which includes a closure member supporting at least one segment supported on one side thereof for movement toward a valve seating surface upon movement of the closure member in selective response to valve stem movement. Each segment carries two spaced-apart, parallel wedging-camming surfaces configured to cooperate with complementary spaced-apart, parallel wedging-camming surfaces on the closure member to effect expansion of the segment during closure of the valve. In one embodiment a lift-and-turn mechanism provides selective rotational and axial movement of the closure member during different intervals of movement thereof.

Abstract: A brake pulsing apparatus for use in vehicles having vacuum hydraulic, pneumatic or electric brake systems. The brake pulsing apparatus includes a solenoid valve, for vacuum hydraulic and pneumatic brake systems, or a relay, for electric brake systems, mounted in a vacuum, pressurized air or electrical line that transmits a brake signal to a brake assembly of the vehicle when the brake system is engaged, a pendulum and proximity switch that sense deceleration of the vehicle, and a timer relay connected between the proximity switch and the solenoid valve or relay to repetitively close the valve or open contacts of the relay when the brake system is engaged. The pendulum and timer relay are adjustable to adapt the brake pulsing apparatus to the type of vehicle in which the apparatus is used.

Abstract: An exhauster arm assembly for capturing gaseous fumes which comprises a base member connected to a support structure, a hood member, a plurality of rigid tubular sections disposed between the base member and the hood member, and a plurality of flexible tubular sections interconnecting the base member, the rigid tubular sections and the hood member such that fluid communication is provided between the base members and the hood member. A plurality of joint assemblies pivotally support the hood member and the rigid tubular sections. An actuator, controlled from a switch assembly located on the hood member, is mounted on the base member and the adjacent rigid tubular section to precisely position the hood member.

Abstract: An educational and entertainment device wherein a microcomputer is mounted in a housing to receive user generated data presented by moving a conducting stylus across perpendicular arrays of conductors on a work surface formed on the housing and presents information to the user via audio and visual devices. The conductors of each array are organized into first write groups formed of a plurality of interconnected conductors which can be placed in a selected electrical state by words written to the write groups and into read groups, read by the microcomputer, formed of a plurality of interconnected conductors interspersed with the conductors of the write groups. Additional, second write groups are interspersed with the first write groups and read groups. The arrays are alternatively mounted on the work surface or on a support member which can be detachably mounted on the work surface and connectors are provided for connecting the arrays on the support member to the microcomputer.

Abstract: A pivot mechanism for a rotary actuator in a disc drive data storage device comprising a pivot shaft having a shoulder near one end thereof, the pivot shaft disposed in a central bore of an actuator body having a medially disposed narrow section spatially separating upper and lower bearing assemblies supported on the pivot shaft. Tolerance rings are disposed between the bearing assemblies and the actuator body, and a preloading resilient member biases the bearing assemblies to abut against the narrow section and the shoulder on the pivot shaft. Preferably, adhesive bonds the upper bearing assembly to the pivot shaft once preloading is achieved.

Abstract: A cryogenic system for recovering a gas product stream and a liquid product stream from a hydrocarbon gas stream is provided which operates at process temperature of -50.degree. F. or less. A portion of a refrigerating liquid stream and a cooled liquid stream produced during operation of the cryogenic system are passed heat exchange relationship with an inlet vapor stream and define a partially closed refrigeration loop. The partially closed refrigeration loop permits the low process temperatures to be achieved.

Abstract: A method for compensating for position and component induced variations in the acceleration and deceleration capabilities of a voice coil actuator in a disc drive, comprising the steps of dividing the discs radially into a plurality of zones, testing the acceleration and deceleration capability of the disc drive in each zone by performing specially controlled seeks in both inward and outward directions in each zone, comparing the result of these specially controlled seeks with a calculated nominal or desired result, and calculating a compensation factor for each zone which is applied by the servo system to all subsequent seek and track following operations.

Abstract: An improved standing seam roof assembly and support apparatus which seeks to achieve a number of objects including improved panel joining integrity both at the standing seam joints along longitudinal edges of the panels and at interlapping panel ends including the four corner juncture areas. A unique interlocking standing seam joint features cooperative clip and side lap sealant positioning. Advantageous end lapping is securely sealed via end lap sealant and a cinch strap assembly which compresses and interconnects the panel ends. Novel notching of the panel ends permits installation of near identical panels in both a first installing direction and in a recovered second installing direction. Other features include adjustable and flexible roof panel supporting structures, improved panel center and edge hold-down assemblies, and an improved seam roller apparatus.

Abstract: An air cleaner assembly for capturing and filtering fumes is provided which comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a pair of filter cartridges supported therein and a blower. A channel and baffle assembly direct the flow of air drawn into the housing in a vortical pattern around the filter cartridges to separate heavier particles in the air and to efficiently draw the air through the filter cartridges. The separated particles collect in a pair of dust trays that are provided with flow directional lips to prevent the vortical air flow from disturbing the deposited particles. A backflushing assembly cleans the filter cartridges of the particles that are collected thereon by pulsing the particles away with a blast of air directed through the entire length of the filter cartridges.

Abstract: A data transfer circuit for coordinating transfer of data between a host and a disc of a disc drive having a state machine for coordinating with a buffer controller to transfer data between the host and a buffer segment and a second state machine for coordinating with the buffer controller to transfer data between the buffer segment and a disc of the disc drive. Counting circuits count the number of bytes transferred between the host and the buffer segment and between the buffer segment and the disc and provide sector count signals each time a sector of data is transferred into or out of the buffer segment. The sector count signals are received by a buffer manager which includes counters for counting sectors of data transferred into and out of the buffer segment and a comparator circuit that compares the contents of the buffer manager counters to provide a code indicative of the state of the buffer segment to a decoder.