Abstract: Method and apparatus for a plunger lift mechanism with a main channel disposed between a first and second valve. The first valve is closed by engaging a sealing member to a first seat at a proximal end of the main channel and the second valve consequently closes to with a sealing member engaging a second seat at a distal end of the main channel. An amount of pressure accumulates on a first side of the plunger lift to overcome a pressure on a second side of the plunger lift to force the plunger lift to traverse a well bore and evacuate any fluids present above the plunger lift.

Abstract: A write element for magnetic recording includes a main pole and a shield. The main pole has first and second sides with respect to a down-track direction. The shield at least partially surrounds the main pole with a continuously concave inner sidewall. The angle between the inner sidewall of the shield and the direction of motion of the write element is greater than the angle between the sides of the main pole and the direction of motion.

Abstract: Provided are an electric field read/write apparatus and method, which reproduce information written in a recording medium by using an electric field read/write head including a channel. In the electric field read/write apparatus and method, an electric field generated from the recording medium is modulated by using a modulation signal, a variation in the modulated electric field is detected, and a voltage signal determined according to the detected variation is demodulated and information written in the recording medium is determined according to a result of the demodulation.

Abstract: A magnetic writer has at least a write pole with a first partial side shield and a second partial side shield. The write pole has a leading edge and a trailing edge along an air bearing surface (ABS) and a first side and a second side along an axis orthogonal to the ABS. The first partial side shield is separated from the first side of the write pole and extends from adjacent the write pole from the trailing edge to a location intermediate that trailing edge and the leading edge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compensating for asymmetric write current in a non-volatile unit cell. The unit cell comprises a switching device and an asymmetric resistive sense element (RSE), such as an asymmetric resistive random access memory (RRAM) element or an asymmetric spin-torque transfer random access memory (STRAM) element. The RSE is physically oriented within the unit cell relative to the switching device such that a hard direction for programming the RSE is aligned with an easy direction of programming the unit cell, and an easy direction for programming the RSE is aligned with a hard direction for programming the unit cell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cooling system for removing heat from a Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) slurry reactor. The cooling system including at least one downcomer having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a diameter; the at least one downcomer disposed within the F-T reactor to deliver a coolant downward through the F-T reactor at a predetermined velocity, the at least one downcomer extending a length within the F-T reactor wherein the coolant is introduced into the upper portion of the at least one downcomer in a substantially liquid phase; the diameter of the at least one downcomer and the pressure of the introduced coolant cooperate to increase the coolant velocity thereby generating backpressure in the at least one downcomer to maintain the coolant in the substantially liquid phase along the length of the at least one downcomer.

Abstract: A method for forming a multi-dimensional microstructure, such as but not limited to a three dimensional (3-D) microstructure coil for use in a data transducer of a data storage device. In accordance with some embodiments, the method generally includes providing a base region comprising a first conductive pathway embedded in a first dielectric material; etching a plurality of via regions in the first dielectric material that are each partially filled with a first seed layer that contacts the embedded first conductive pathway; and using the first seed layer to form a conductive pillar in each of the plurality of via regions, wherein each conductive pillar comprises a substantially vertical sidewall that extends to a first distance above the base region.

Abstract: A transducing head for use with a storage medium rotatable about an axis includes first and second writers for writing to the storage medium. The first writer is configured for dedicated writing to a first radial region of the storage medium, and the second writer is configured for dedicated writing to a second radial region of the storage medium. The second radial region is located radially outward from the first radial region.

Abstract: Provided is an electric field head including a resistance sensor to read information recorded on a recording medium. The resistance sensor includes a first semiconductor layer including a source and a drain, and a second semiconductor layer that is heterogeneously combined with the first semiconductor layer. Also, the electric field head further includes a channel between the source and the drain, in a junction region of the first and second semiconductor layers.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a printed circuit board assembly having a circuit board with opposing side edges and an open frame housing that has first and second parallel elongated mounting frames extending along the respective side edges of the circuit board. Each mounting frame has an elongated body portion forming a channel extending the length of the body, the channel serving to nest one of the side edges of the circuit board. The body of each mounting frame has one or more sets of orthogonally disposed, intersecting mounting holes that permit use of mounting holes to accommodate screws for attaching the mounting frames in a rack frame of a host system so that the circuit board is optionally supported in a side attached mode or in a bottom attached mode.

Abstract: A support and attachment assembly configured for attachment to a substrate structure. The assembly includes a rigid body comprising a front surface, a back surface, and a bottom surface. A hinge flange extends from the front surface, a boss member extends from the bottom surface, and a latching member is coupled to the body. The support and attachment assembly is attached to the substrate structure by insertion of the hinge flange into a hinge aperture in the substrate structure. The body is rotated while the hinge flange remains in the hinge aperture to insert the boss member into a boss aperture through the substrate structure and to bring the bottom surface into facing relation with a top surface of the substrate structure. The latching member then contactingly engages the substrate structure to lockingly secure the assembly to the substrate structure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for writing repeating patterns of features to a substrate, such as a data storage medium. In accordance with some embodiments, a multi-dimensional pattern of discrete features of different sizes to be written to a substrate is divided into a plurality of contiguous regions. A unique set of compensation values is assigned to each region. A write beam of a write system is used to write the features to the substrate responsive to said unique sets of compensation values so that all of the features having a common size in at least one region are written using the same compensation values from the associated set.

Abstract: A fluid control assembly configured to isolate a pressurized fluid, including an under pressure abatement assembly having a collapsible member and an energy storage member for exerting a collapsing force on the collapsible member while contactingly engaging a pivotal valve member. A conduit path directs pressurized fluid to exert a force in opposition to the collapsing force so that when the fluid pressure falls below a low pressure threshold, the collapsing force will collapse the collapsible member and release the valve member. An over pressure abatement assembly can be included having a second collapsible member and a second valve member, a conduit path directing pressurized fluid to exert a force in a direction to collapse the second collapsible member and release the second valve member when the fluid pressure exceeds an upper pressure threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for operating a portable light assembly. In accordance with some embodiments, a frame providing a bridge and defining a transport region and a deployment region is slidingly connected to a mast. An arm is further connected to the mast by a hinge while a light fixture is connected to the arm. In various embodiments, the light fixture is capable of transitioning from a deployed position where the mast engages the deployment region and a transport position where the mast and light fixture are disposed within the transport region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for authenticating a data transmission across a network. Variations in data rate of data received across the network are detected, and the received data are authenticated when the variations conform to a preselected variable data rate profile. Preferably, an average data rate is first determined, and the data rates of individual data rates of blocks of the received data are compared to the average data rate. Some of the data rates are preferably faster than a selected threshold. Different portions of the received data preferably take different, parallel paths through the network from a transmitter to a receiver. Preferably, the received data are transmitted via packets. The data rate is preferably varied by using different densities of data packets, or by selectively delaying selected packets. Data authentication preferably results in grant of user access to the received data.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for operating a portable light assembly. In accordance with some embodiments, a frame providing a bridge and defining a transport region and a deployment region is slidingly connected to a mast. An arm is further connected to the mast by a hinge while a light fixture is connected to the arm. In various embodiments, the light fixture is capable of transitioning from a deployed position where the mast engages the deployment region and a transport position where the mast and light fixture are disposed within the transport region.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a storage medium with variable track widths. In accordance with various embodiments, a data storage medium is rotated by a motor. A write transducer is used to write concentric data tracks to the storage medium during said rotation. The tracks are provided with variable track widths established by selectively changing a rotational velocity of the medium. The variable track widths can be gradual and/or abrupt, depending on the requirements of a given application. Gradual variations in track width can be used by a linear actuator with a linear translation path to emulate tracks written along a pivot translation path of a rotary actuator. Abrupt variations in track width can be used to provide different zones of tracks having different specified track widths. The tracks may be written using an electron beam recorder (EBR) with a constant write beam power level.

Abstract: Apparatus for shading a user's neck. In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a laterally extending central portion configured to support a neckpiece to cover at least a portion of a neck of a user, and opposing leg portions which extend from the laterally extending central portion configured to engage a headwear to support said neckpiece adjacent said headwear. Each of the opposing leg portions is formed into a substantially G-shape that comprises a first flange configured to extend down between a first surface of an external panel of said headwear and an upturned interior hatband of said headwear; a second flange in overlapping relation to the first flange, the second flange configured to extend up against a second surface of said external panel; and a connecting central portion disposed between and in overlapping relation to both the first and second flanges.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a remote control system for controlling a railway vehicle. The remote control system including a remote control device for transmitting signals to a first controller module. The first controller is mounted to the railway vehicle and controls and monitors the functions of the railway vehicle. The first controller module also relays information to the remote control device. The remote control system can also include a portable safety switch allowing any individual in proximity to the railway vehicle to send a stop signal to the first controller module to stop the railway vehicle if any unsafe conditions exist.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated method for asymmetric write current compensation for resistive sense memory (RSM) cells, such as but not limited to spin-torque transfer random access memory (STRAM) or resistive random access memory (RRAM) cells. In accordance with some embodiments, an RSM cell includes an RSM element coupled to a switching device. The switching device has a plurality of terminals. A control circuit compensates for asymmetric write characteristics of the RSM cell by limiting a range of voltage differentials across the terminals so as to be equal to or less than a magnitude of a source voltage applied to the switching device, thereby providing bi-directional write currents of substantially equal magnitude through the RSM element.