Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for dressing a workpiece. A first annular abrasive dressing element is attached to a base, an inner arcuate edge of the first annular abrasive dressing element defining a cavity. A second annular abrasive dressing element is also attached to the base and disposed in the cavity, an outer arcuate edge of the second annular abrasive dressing element noncontactingly separated from the inner arcuate edge of the first annular abrasive dressing element defining a circumferential space therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are provided for treating a workpiece with a cryogenic impingement fluid. A fixture supports the workpiece in an upright position and operably connects an electrical component of the workpiece to a power source in the supported position. A cryogenic impingement fluid applicator sprays a stream of the cryogenic impingement fluid against the supported workpiece and laterally moves the stream in accordance with a predetermined path. A shield deflects the stream of cryogenic impingement fluid to prevent the stream from contacting at least a part of the workpiece as the stream is moved along the predetermined path.

Abstract: A railing is provided with a pair of adjacent upright posts. Substantially parallel and spatially disposed opposing rails are supported by the posts. A plurality of balusters span the rails between the adjacent pair of posts, with the plurality of balusters defining first spaces between adjacent balusters and defining second spaces between each post and the respective adjacent baluster. One or more groups of one or more illuminating members are supported by each of a predetermined number of lighted balusters of the plurality of balusters.

Abstract: An atomic force microscopy (AFM) method includes a scanning probe that scans a surface of a structure to produce a first structure image. The structure is then rotated by 90° with respect to the scanning probe. The scanning probe scans the surface of the structure again to produce a second structure image. The first and second structure images are combined to produce best fit image of the surface area of the structure. The same method is used to produce the best fit image of a flat standard. The best fit image of the flat standard is subtracted from the best fit image of the structure to obtain a true topographical image in which Z direction run out error is substantially reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A redundant data storage system is provided comprising a first controller with top-level control of a first memory space and a second controller with top-level control of a second memory space different than the first memory space. The system is adapted for asynchronously reflectively writing state information by the first controller to the second memory space; alternatively the system is adapted for asynchronously reflectively writing state information by the second controller to the first memory space. A method is provided for operating the redundant data storage system by resolving any inconsistency between the existing state information and a modified state information associated with a state information change request, and for switching control in the redundant data storage system between the controllers.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method to begin performing a power reduction enablement sequence based on a first predetermined value of elapsed time after an execution of a data access command is completed. The power reduction enablement sequence is performed at an adaptively selected rate that is related to a second predetermined value of elapsed time after the execution that calls for a switch to a reduced power mode for the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are provided for positioning a workpiece. A workpiece positioner has a fixed base, and a support member is connected to the base by a joint that permits selectively articulating the support member with respect to the base. A plate defines a feature sized for operably supporting the workpiece. A connector is used to connect the plate to the support member. The connector fixes the plate in articulation with the support member so that a selected articulation of the support member with respect to the base defines a corresponding plane in which the plate is disposed. The connector also permits sliding movement of the plate in any direction within the corresponding plane to orient the workpiece in a desired position.

Abstract: A support assembly includes a base layer, a circuit defined along the base layer, and a first material molded on at least a portion of the base layer. The first material substantially forms a shape of at least a portion of the support assembly. Further disclosed is a molded suspension assembly. The molded suspension assembly includes a thin and elongate metallic substrate and a non-metallic material molded along at least a portion of one side of the metallic substrate. The non-metallic material interlocks with the metallic substrate. The molded suspension assembly includes a transducer support area at or near a first end of the molded suspension assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for non-permanently fixturing an unmounted head gimbal assembly (UHGA). A backing plate has a planar body defining a plurality of contact points, and a lip extending from the body that is operably alignable with the UHGA so that a force applied against the lip transfers through the body to urge each of the contact points against the UHGA.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for simultaneously cleaning two single-sided hard memory disks is provided. The two disks are placed in concentric contact merge orientation such that the outwardly facing surface of each disk, which has memory storage capabilities, may be simultaneously cleaned by equipment designed to clean one double-sided disk. Conversely, no effort is expended in cleaning the abutting inactive surfaces of the disks.

Abstract: An actuator and associated method is provided, the actuator having an arm defining an aperture, an electrical circuit supported by the arm and terminating at a contact, a flexure assembly defining a boss and supporting a second electrical circuit terminating at a second contact, wherein the contacts are resultingly positioned in operable mating engagement with each other placing the electrical circuit in electrical communication with the second electrical circuit when the boss is operably disposed within the aperture and there affixed to the arm.

Abstract: A disk cleaning scrub module comprising a scrub lane and a plurality of brushes that rotates and scrub washes a plurality of disks having a diameter D in the scrub lane, wherein a disk-to-disk center distance for scrub wash of the plurality of the disks is S and a ratio of S/D is greater than 1 and less than 1.6 is disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring logical block address (LBA) activity are disclosed. In an embodiment, a pattern of a data storage device may be monitored. An LBA may be detected that is accessed based on the pattern. The LBA may be added to a list of LBAs stored in a memory.

Abstract: Disclosed is a storage system and method that provides multi-path bus and component interconnection and isolation in a data storage system. A plurality of data storage devices in a removable assembly are connected to a fabric that is configurable to connect some or all of the data storage devices (or “drives”) to a drive controller and configurable to isolate one or more data storage devices from the drive controller. Multiple controllers, fabrics, and interconnecting buses may be employed to provide redundancy in the event of a connector, bus, or controller failure. Computer program code operating in a host, interface controller, and/or drive controller configures the fabric to isolate failed devices and may be employed to optimize data transfer rates. Data storage devices may be multi-ported. The fabric may comprise any device or devices capable of configurably interconnecting data storage devices to one or more controllers and may comprise multiplexers, cross point switches, port bypass controllers.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching one or more HGAs to an actuator assembly including one or more actuator arms comprises a set of pivoting supports corresponding to the one or more HGAs and mechanisms that pivot each of the pivoting supports between open positions and closed positions. For each of the set of pivoting supports, in the open position, a gap adjacent to the pivoting support is sufficiently large to receive both a mounting platform of one of the actuator arms and a baseplate of one of the HGAs positioned in alignment with the mounting platform of the one of the actuator arms, and, for each of the set of pivoting supports, in the closed position, the gap is sufficiently small to constrain the baseplate of the one of the HGAs against the mounting platform of the one of the actuator arms.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided having a data transfer member, and a medium supported by a base adjacent the data transfer member. A medium tilting device supports the base and is selectively positionable to tilt the medium with respect to the data transfer member to simulate presenting the head to the medium at a desired angular orientation. A sensor measures a characteristic associated with a data transfer relationship between the data transfer member and the medium.

Abstract: A data storage system apparatus and associated method with a virtualization engine connectable to a remote device over a network for passing access commands between the remote device and a storage space. A plurality of intelligent storage elements (ISEs) are configured for replicating data from a first ISE to a second ISE independently of access commands being simultaneously passed between the virtualization engine and the first ISE.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor is described. In one embodiment, the fluid dynamic bearing motor includes a base that has a bore hole and a liner secured within the bore hole. The fluid dynamic bearing motor also includes a rotor assembly that has a shaft, which is partially disposed within the liner and configured to rotate relative to the liner. A fluid dynamic bearing is disposed between the liner and the shaft to support this relative rotation.

Abstract: A method is provided for maintaining the aggregate stiffness of a pivot bearing assembly generally employed along with an actuator assembly of a magnetic disk drive, while increasing the stiffness in a predetermined direction. More specifically, bearing cartridges used in conjunction with actuator assemblies of the prior art employ at least one ball bearing assembly positioned about a stationary shaft. A modification is presented herein that generally concerns repositioning and maintaining the balls of the ball bearing along a predetermined axis for efficient reaction of loads.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for suspending a test object in a gravitational field from a support member, exciting the test object by noncontactingly engaging it with a predetermined waveform force, and characterizing the test object qualitatively in relation to an observed modal frequency response of the test object to the excitation.