Abstract: A data storage device comprises a data storage medium and a connector that provides an interface between the data storage medium and a host device. The connector has a shape that substantially conforms to an internal storage interconnect standard. The connector comprises a first set of electrical contacts that substantially conform to the internal storage interconnect standard, and a second set of contacts configured to provide connectivity with the host device in accordance with an external storage interconnect standard. Also described are cables for connecting the data storage device to a host via the external storage interconnect standard as well as an interconnect detector.

Abstract: A data storage device comprises a data storage medium; an interface between the data storage medium and a host device configured to provide connectivity according to a plurality of storage interconnect standards. The data storage device also includes a interconnect detector configured to determine the presence of a physical connection to the host device and identify an interconnect standard of the host device, wherein the interconnect standard of the host device is one of the plurality of storage interconnect standards; and a controller configured to: receive an indication of the interconnect standard of the physical connection from the interconnect detector, receive data access commands in accordance with the interconnect standard from the host device via the connector; process the data access commands by accessing the data storage medium; and send a response to the data access commands in accordance with the interconnect standard to the host via the connector.

Abstract: An actuator and method of using an actuator that operably supports a component of a data transfer assembly. The actuator has a body and an arm extending longitudinally from the body. The arm has a tapered portion defined by laterally converging opposing surfaces from a proximal end of the arm adjacent the body and terminating at a medial longitudinal position of the arm. The arm further has a tip portion extending contiguously from the medial longitudinal position of the arm to a distal end of the arm. The tip portion has laterally opposing protuberant arcuate lobes that cooperatively define a maximum lateral width of the tip portion. In some embodiments the arm has a surface defining an aperture sized for operably swaging a head gimbal assembly (HGA) to the arm. A lateral apex of at least one of the lobes is intersected by a lateral axis that intersects the aperture.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a portable data storage device comprising a mass data storage device, a cartridge housing enclosing a mass data storage device, and a flexible interconnect. The flexible interconnect includes an external electrical connector mechanically coupled to the cartridge, an internal electrical connector mechanically and electrically coupled to a data port of the mass data storage device, and a set of flexible electrical conductors electrically coupling the external electrical connector to the internal electrical connector. The flexible electrical conductors are routed within the cartridge such that no portion of the set of flexible electrical conductors lies in a volume defined by the space between the external electrical connector and the internal electrical connector.

Abstract: An actuator for selectively positioning a portion of a communication channel formed by a cable circuit having a protuberant component connected at a proximal end to a flexible base, whereby the actuator defines a heat transfer surface operably disposed in thermal conductivity with a distal surface of the protuberant component for sinking heat from the component to the actuator.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly includes a slider assembly and a flexure tongue that cantilevers in a first direction and supports the slider assembly. The slider assembly cantilevers away from the flexure tongue in a second direction different than the first direction. A load beam imparts a force on the flexure tongue and generates a first net torque on the slider assembly. The cantilevering of the slider assembly decreases a magnitude of the first net torque on the slider assembly. The force on the flexure tongue can also generate a second net torque on the slider assembly that is oriented about a second axis different than the first axis. The slider assembly can cantilever in the second direction to decrease the magnitude of the second net torque on the slider assembly. Portions of the flexure tongue and the slider assembly can be spaced apart from one another to form a gap that is directly between the flexure tongue and the slider assembly.

Abstract: A generic storage container system is provided for a grid-based storage architecture, comprising a generic storage container comprising a plurality of storage domains along one axis against a plurality of rows of stripes along another axis defining a preselected storage capacity, and configuration information allocating the stripes in response to a storage format specified by an allocation request. A method is provided for storing the data, comprising: providing the generic storage container; providing configuration information adapted for selectively allocating the stripes in relation to a data storage format; specifying a desired storage format; and allocating the stripes in response to the desired format.

Abstract: A storage medium format is provided having a first band of a plurality of consecutive data storage tracks having user data stored thereto, a second band of a plurality of consecutive data storage tracks having other user data stored thereto, and a guard track medially disposed therebetween the first band and the second band and having system data stored thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated method that stores first metadata only at the same addressable storage location of a computer readable medium as that where associated first user data is stored, and afterward satisfies a read request for the first user data by retrieving the first user data from the addressable location of the computer readable medium where the first metadata is stored if the first metadata has a first value, and by reconstructing the first user data from other metadata stored at another addressable location of the computer readable medium than where the first metadata is stored if the first metadata has a second value.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method directed to encoding data from an object in order to simultaneously identify a serialization value of the object from the data while incrementally tracking the object's position from the data.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for reflecting elastic waves that propagate from an excitation source to an excitation-sensitive component in a device. The device has an enclosure with a base constructed of a first metal. An elastic wave reflector is constructed of a different second metal and is operably affixed to the base. The elastic wave reflector defines a support surface to which the excitation-sensitive component is operably affixed within the enclosure.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for highly efficient data queries. In accordance with various embodiments, a data structure is provided in a memory space with a first portion characterized as a virtual data space storing non-sequential entries and a second portion characterized as a first data array of sequential entries. At least a first sequential entry of the data array points to a skip list, at least a second sequential entry of the data array points to a second data array, and at least a third sequential entry points to a selected non-sequential entry in the first portion.

Abstract: A jet pumping system for use in a wellbore drilled for the production or petroleum products includes a packer disposed within the wellbore, an intake pipe extending through the packer, an injection system configured to inject pressurized gas into the wellbore and a jet pump connected to the intake pipe. The jet pump further includes a removable vortex generator. A method for selectively generating foam in-situ in a subterranean well includes the steps of installing a vortex generator in the jet pump with a wire line procedure and pumping a foam generating solution into the jet pump. Pressurized gas is injected into the annulus of the well, which creates a vortex in the jet pump as the pressurized gas is directed into the jet pump through injection ports. The resultant vortex aerates and mixes the foam generating solution and petroleum fluids to generate a foam in the jet pump.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for a header in a structural framing system comprising a pair of track members defining opposing receiving portions. A plurality of column members is disposed substantially transversely to the track members and joined thereto. A web member is receivingly engaged in the receiving portions and spans the column members. The track members can be characteristically longitudinally arcuate and the web member characteristically conformable to the arcuate shape of the track members. In one illustrative embodiment the track members can comprise a plurality of flexibly joined sections that are moveable to define a selected arcuate longitudinal shape. A retaining member is adapted for retaining the flexibly joined sections in the selected shape. A fixing member is adapted for fixing the web member to one or more column members and/or one or more of the track members after the track members achieve the selected shape.

Abstract: A portable room heater is provided comprising an upright enclosure defining an inlet at a lower end of the enclosure, an outlet at an upper end of the enclosure, and a passageway fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet. The portable room heater further comprises a blower imparting an airflow through the passageway, and thereby creating an inlet airflow through the inlet and a noncoplanar outlet airflow through the outlet. A heat generating member in the passageway selectively heats air flowing through the passageway. A method is provided for warming a room comprising providing the portable electric heater, drawing air from a relatively lower horizontal plane of the room into the heater, heating the drawn air, and releasing the heated air in a substantially horizontal direction in a relatively higher horizontal plane of the room.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effects of non-repeatable runout (NRRO) in the estimation of repeatable runout (RRO) in a disc drive is disclosed. PES information is a acquired in a way that leads to randomization of the phase of the NRRO, thereby decreasing the number of revolutions required to estimate the true RRO. A number of RRO estimation measurements are taken over a number of non-consecutive disc revolutions that are spaced in time. In one embodiment, one revolution of RRO data is collected from each head before collecting a second revolution of RRO data from any of the heads. In another embodiment, RRO estimation is concurrent with media certification, such that PES data is obtained while the head is in the write position and writes a track of data for media certification. Similarly, PES data for the read position is obtained while concurrently reading back the written data.

Abstract: A method for writing servo patterns on at least one disc in a disc drive that has a first set of tracks and a second set of tracks on a major surface of the disc includes stepping between the tracks of the first set of tracks at a first constant angle, and stepping between the tracks of the second set of tracks at a second constant angle. Stepping between tracks in the first group or the second group includes selecting two adjacent tracks from either the first group of tracks or the second group of tracks, and determining the angle through which an actuator assembly must be rotated between the two adjacent tracks selected to produce a selected track pitch. The method produces a disc for a disc drive with a first set of tracks, and a second set of tracks in which the track pitch varies across the set of tracks.

Abstract: A method for writing servo information to a disc rotatably mounted to a spindle motor. A measured cage frequency is obtained from a written reference track, from which an actual cage frequency is predicted. The predicted cage frequency is then used to derive compensated position commands. During a servo write interval, the compensated position commands are used to control the head such that the head follows the disc movements caused by the cage frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for testing disc drives. In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a microprocessor capable of storing at least one test program. Data transfer between the microprocessor and the disc drive under test is provided for in the form of an interface, such that the interface is compatible for connection to the disc drive under test.