Abstract: An automatic lubrication injection sanitization system for sanitizing and lubricating a conveyor chain system is disclosed. The apparatus includes an inlet water line for supplying a flow of water, an inlet sanitizer line for supplying a flow of sanitizer, and an inlet lubricant line for supplying a flow of lubricant. A pump is operatively connected to the inlet sanitizer line and the inlet lubricant line for pumping a proportionate flow of lubricant and sanitizer into the flow of water, forming an outlet mixture flow. An outlet line receives and distributes the outlet mixture flow which is applied to the conveyor chain to sanitize and lubricate the conveyor chain. Preferably, the apparatus also includes two timers which each control a solenoid. One of the timers controls a solenoid in the outlet line, allowing the outlet mixture flow to be selectively cycled ON and OFF. The other timer controls a solenoid in the inlet sanitizer line and allows the inlet flow of sanitizer to be cycled ON and OFF.

Abstract: A servo track writer used for the writing of servo information to a head disc assembly, the servo track writer including a tuned damper as part of a pusher block assembly, the tuned damper reducing the effects of errors in the written servo information as a result of resonant frequencies induced in the pusher block assembly. The pusher block assembly mechanically advances an actuator of the head disc assembly, the actuator including a head which selectively magnetizes portions of a rotating disc of the head disc assembly to write the servo information. The tuned damper portion of the pusher block assembly comprises a dampening block having a selected mass and a dampening pad comprising a layer of compliant material, the dampening pad isolating the dampening block from the rest of the pusher block assembly. The desired resonant frequency response of the pusher block assembly is achieved through selection of the mass of the dampening block and the compliance of the dampening pad.

Abstract: Method for optimizing parameter values in a read/write channel of a disc drive. A population of error rate points is obtained from selected ranges of a plurality of read/write channel parameters, each error rate point corresponding to a unique combination of parameter values and having an associated error rate value. A weight is determined for each of the error rate points through normalization to the minimum error rate value in the population. A threshold value is determined based upon the error rate values in a plurality of nominally identical disc drives and the weights are compared to the threshold value. Those error rate values having weights less than the threshold are selected and a center of gravity is determined therefrom. At such times that the entire population of error rate values has weights greater than the threshold value, the optimum parameter values are those that map to the center of gravity.

Abstract: A method for calibrating the position error signal in a servo system of a disc drive. The disc drive comprises a disc and an actuator adjacent the disc, the actuator including a head which is controllably positionable relative to data tracks on the surface of the disc using a servo position error signal generated using a scale factor generally indicative of the ratio of the width of the head to the width of the tracks on the disc. The head is positioned at the center of a selected track using an initial scale factor for the position error signal, the selected track having servo position fields comprising a plurality of burst patterns. The burst patterns include a first burst pattern extending radially from a first track boundary to a second track boundary of the selected track, a second burst pattern extending radially from the center of the selected track to the first track boundary and a third burst pattern extending radially from the center of the selected track to the second track boundary.

Abstract: A method for carrying out seeks of a transducer between tracks of a disc drive to limit acoustic noise arising from changes in the acceleration of the actuator which supports the transducer.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing mechanical resonances in a disc drive printed circuit board to reduce acoustic emissions and improve mechanical shock sensing and reporting. A constrain layer comprising a thin layer of rigid, stiffening material is disposed adjacent to the exterior surface of the base portion of a base deck of the disc drive. A vibro-acoustic isolator comprising a thin layer of dampening material, is disposed adjacent the constrain layer and the printed circuit board, the vibro-acoustic isolator and the constrain layer are secured to the base portion of the base deck using conventional fasteners. The vibro-acoustic isolator serves to isolate the printed circuit board from the constrain layer and at the same time dampen mechanical resonances established in the printed circuit board, in conjunction with the stiffening provided by the constrain layer.

Abstract: A method for carrying out seeks of a transducer between tracks of a disc drive to limit acoustic noise arising from changes in the acceleration of the actuator which supports the transducer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for resetting a disc drive during a disc drive reset sequence comprising a sequential three-stage reset using power valid, clocks valid and delay criteria. Input voltage provided to the disc drive is monitored to detect the presence of input voltage at a nominally acceptable voltage level, after which a system clock generator initiates generation of a system clock signal. A lock detector circuit employing a PLL circuit monitors the system clock signal and indicates when the system clock signal has achieved frequency stability by way of an output signal, which enables a counter circuit to initiate a timed delay by counting a predetermined number of the system clock signals. During the timed delay, a disc drive system microprocessor is initialized to a known, desired state and the counter provides a reset signal to the system microprocessor at the completion of the timed delay, indicating completion of the reset sequence.

Abstract: A standing seam roof assembly in which adjacent roof panels are supported by underlying support structure in overlapping edge relationship to form a standing seam between adjacent roof panels is disclosed. A two piece hold down clip having a hook shaped section and a clip base secures the standing seam to the underlying support structure. The hook shaped section includes a slidable radiused portion, a substantially vertically extending portion and a hook portion which hooks over and is compressively secured to a corresponding radiused portion of the male sidelap portion. The slidable radiused portion slidably engages a c-shaped beam portion of the clip base, allowing the hook shaped section to move relative to the clip base as the panels expand and contract as a result of environmental conditions, while still resisting the unfurling and unzipping of the standing seam as a result of uplift forces on the panels.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the early detection of faults in a head-disc assembly (HDA) from a disc drive manufacturing process. Parametrics are obtained from an HDA at a parametric station and provided to a pattern recognition system for estimating an error rate category from the measured HDA parametrics. The estimated error rate category and the parametrics are provided to a fuzzy inferencing system, which uses linguistic rules to classify the HDA as GOOD, MARGINAL or BAD, based upon the parametrics and the estimated error rate category. HDAs classified as GOOD or MARGINAL continue processing through dynamic burn-in (DBI), while HDAs classified as BAD are subjected to rework. The pattern recognition system includes a reference database containing historical parametric and associated error rate data, which is updated over time by the subsequent inclusion of selected parametrics and measured error rates for HDAs subjected to DBI.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for an improved insulating wire guide for a disc drive actuator assembly. The insulating wire guide is integrally formed with an actuator arm and comprises a rigid, non-conductive material formed onto the actuator arm, the wire guide having a base portion on which head wires rest and tabs extending from the base portion to form a channel through which the head wires are routed. The wire guide and actuator arm are formed from an extrusion having a cross-sectional shape substantially that of the actuator arm, the extrusion including dams forming a channel along one side of the extrusion. The non-conductive material is applied to the extrusion, substantially filling the channel, and, after the non-conductive material is cured, the extrusion and the cured non-conductive material is machined to provide the desired configuration of the actuator arm and the wire guide.

Abstract: A pin straightening tool for aligning a pin in a multi-pin connector. The pin straightening tool includes an electrically conductive handle having a beveled end and a hollow recess extending longitudinally into the beveled end. An alignment tip is connected to the end of the handle and used to align the pin. The alignment tip includes a shaft which is inserted into the recess of the beveled end of the handle and a tube which extends longitudinally from the shaft and away from the handle. The tube has a hollow recess having an inner diameter sized for receipt of the pin and the outer diameter of the tube is sized for placement of the tube between adjacent pins in the multi-pin connector. Engagement means is provided between the alignment tip and the handle so that the alignment tip can be engaged and subsequently removed from the handle. A pocket clip is attached to the handle for clipping the pin straightening tool when the pin straightening tool is not in use.

Abstract: A process and diluent injection burner apparatus is provided which is capable of reducing the nitrogen oxide content in a combustion effluent, the diluent injection burner assembly provided with a burner head having an air flow passage extending therethrough and primary and secondary fuel dispensing nozzles supported within the airflow passageway and adapted to inject fuel into a peripheral downstream end portion of the burner head. A diluent manifold assembly is supported by the burner head such that upon combustion of the fuel diluent is tangentially injected into the peripheral downstream end portion of the burner head relative to a flame envelope produced by ignition of the primary and secondary fuel so that a diluent shroud is formed about a base portion of the flame envelope.

Abstract: An improved spindle motor connector for a disc drive. The spindle motor connector includes a central housing having socket connectors for mating engagement with connector pins of the spindle motor. Electrical leads are connected to the socket connectors and extend radially from the central housing, and spoke arms are connected to the central housing and extend radially from the central housing adjacent the electrical leads. Spacer arms are connected to the spoke arms and maintain the desired spacing between the spindle motor connector pins and a disc drive printed wiring assembly, which is mounted below the spindle motor. The connector pins of the spindle motor are located at an end of and within the axial extent of a spindle motor stator shaft, so that the central housing extends into the end of the stator shaft. The end of the stator shaft extends through a hole in the disc drive printed wiring assembly.

Abstract: A panel support assembly apparatus for supporting panel members used in a new roof assembly is disclosed. The panel support assembly provides the ability to support a new roof assembly over underlying support structure, which may be a preexisting roof assembly such as a built up roof. An adjustable support spacer supports a new roof assembly over underlying support structure and has base support members disposed in a first direction over the underlying support structure. A support spacer is disposed in a second direction substantially normal to the direction of the base support members. Further, web spacer means support the support spacer and include attachment means for connecting the web spacer means to the base support members and top support means for connecting the web spacer means to the support spacer, thereby rigidly securing the support spacer in the first and the second directions.

Abstract: A standing seam roof assembly in which adjacent roof panels are supported by underlying support structure in overlapping edge relationship to form a standing seam between adjacent roof panels is disclosed. A plurality of fasteners secures medial portions of the roof panels to underlying support structure so that the standing seam is prevented from unfurling during uplift of the roof panels. The fasteners rigidly attach the roof panels to the underlying support structure, or alternatively, secure adjacent roof panels relative to one another. Additionally, the use of a floating underlying structure allows the panels to expand and contract as a result of environmental conditions without damaging the panels or underlying structural connections. The fasteners may be located adjacent to structural corrugation crowns located in the medial portions of the panels as well as adjacent to the standing seam.

Abstract: A latch assembly used for latching an actuator in a disc drive. The latch assembly comprises a coil assembly for selectively generating magnetic fields of alternating polarity in a pair of magnetically permeable plates. The plates are separated by a vertical gap which includes a coil, so that the passage of electrical current through the coil establishes magnetic polarities within the plates. Adjacent the coil assembly is a rocker assembly which is pivotable about a horizontal axis and comprises a latch arm and a coil arm, both of which extend in opposite directions from a central hinge portion. The distal end of the coil arm includes a permanent magnet which alternately detents between positions proximate to the plates of the coil assembly.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica, which is characterized by a vigorous, upright growth habit, leathery leaves which emerge crimson and quickly change to medium green, few seed heads, moderate seed head production, inflorescences which are eight to fourteen inches tall and six to ten inches wide, flower buds that are crimson before opening, and cherry red flower petals with occasional slight white variegation.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of crape myrtly, Lagerstroemia indica, which is characterized by a dense, upright, and pyramidal growth habit, leathery leaves which emerge crimson and slowly change to medium green, few seed heads, late flowering season, inflorescences which are six to twelve inches tall and four to eight inches wide, and flower petals that range from cardinal red bordered irregularly by white on hot summer days to pink with more white on cooler or cloudy days.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica, which is characterized by a dense shrub form that may reach eight to ten feet in height, leathery leaves which emerge ruby red and slowly change to purplish green, early and long flowering season that continues after seed head production, inflorescences which are six to twelve inches tall and four to eight inches wide, and flower petals that range from bright red-purple on hot summer days to less intense color on cooler or cloudy days.