Abstract: A stage assembly (10) for moving and positioning one or more objects (24) for an exposure apparatus (28) is provided herein. The stage assembly (10) includes a fine stage (14) and a coarse stage (18). The fine stage (14) includes a holder (15) that retains the object (24). The stage assembly (10) also includes a fine Y mover (32) and a fine X mover (34) that precisely move the fine stage (14) relative to the coarse stage (18). Uniquely, the fine movers (32), (34) are positioned on only one side of the holder (15). With this design, the resulting stage assembly (10) has a relatively low mass and a relatively high servo bandwidth. Further, with this design, the stage assembly (10) is readily accessible for service and a measurement system (16) can be easily positioned near the fine stage (14). The stage assembly (10) can also include an anti-gravity mechanism (40) that minimizes distortion of a stage base (12) that supports the fine stage (14) as the fine stage (14) moves above the stage base (12).

Abstract: A conductor trace array includes an electrically insulative support substrate and a plurality of pairs of electrical signal conductor traces and a plurality of pairs of passive electrical conductor traces. All of the traces are formed along substantially parallel paths in a single layer on the substrate. Each pair of the electrical signal conductor traces is arranged on the support substrate such that they are positioned in a space defined between each pair of passive electrical conductor traces. As a result, each pair of signal conductor traces has a passive electrical conductor trace positioned immediately adjacent thereto. The passive conductor traces generally follow a geometry of the signal conductor traces and thereby form a capacitive coupling relationship therebetween. This capacitive coupling relationship increases the characteristic impedance of the signal conductor traces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a break-resistant tape cartridge. Reinforcing ribs on the housing and door of the cartridge protect against breakage. The reel and brake of the cartridge employ short teeth with widened roots that strengthen the teeth and reduce shear forces which might cleave the teeth from the reel or the brake. An extra lobe on the hinge of the door reinforces the hinge. The door and the housing are made of a plastic that lacks glass fibers or has a reduced glass fibers content. Furthermore, the plastic without glass fibers improves wear-resistance, and reduces production of debris that can damage the tape and devices that read the tape. The result is a cartridge which is less prone to breakage and wear. The reel may be used in applications other than tape cartridges.

Abstract: A motor combination (10) for enclosing and moving a stage (28) (30) for an exposure apparatus (32) is provided herein. The motor combination (10) includes a motor (12) and a chamber (14). The motor (12) has a first component (16) and a second component (18). One of the components (16) (18) includes a magnet array (36) having at least one magnet (42) and the other component (16) (18) includes a conductor array (38) having at least one conductor (44). The chamber (14) encircles and encloses one of the stages (28) (30) and the second component (18) of the motor (12). Importantly, the chamber (14) includes a wall (20) that is interposed between the first component (16) and the second component (18) and the motor (12) is magnetically coupled through the wall (20) of the chamber (14). With this design, the object (22) is enclosed by the chamber (14) and any reaction forces of the motor (12) can be easily transferred to a ground (24) or a reaction mass (26).

Abstract: A method and device to support a storage tape of a tape drive in the event of a loss of tape tension. Flexible bristles are provided between a tape guide and tape rollers to prevent the storage tape from “falling” below the tape guide and tape rollers and maintaining the storage tape in a position to return between the tape roller flanges when tape tension is regained. In one embodiment, a plurality of flexible bristles are provided along a lower portion of the tape guide. The bristles extend toward a bottom flange of each tape roller in a direction generally perpendicular to the tape path. In another embodiment, the flexible bristles extend radially from the bottom flange of each tape roller. In either embodiment, the bristles are rigid enough to support the storage tape and flexible enough to enable a tape buckle to traverse between the tape guide and tape roller.

Abstract: Mechanically formed standoffs in a disk drive integrated circuit interconnect reduces the cost of manufacturing and improves the reliability of the electrical interconnections thereof. Connection pads defined along the interconnect are bonded with bonding pads of a signal producing source and a signal processing source. The standoffs provide mechanical stops during the bonding process, enabling sufficient bonding material to form between bonding areas. The standoffs are mechanically formed with a punch and die assembly either directly through a bonding pad predefined along traces on the interconnect or adjacent the bonding pad. The standoffs formed through the bonding pads are covered with solder or other electrically conductive bonding material.

Abstract: A tape drive wherein a tape leader from a tape cartridge is urged through a tape path, into a take-up reel, and secured therein without the use of a buckling mechanism or a take-up leader. The take-up reel includes a locking slot defined along the central hub for receiving and locking the leader thereto. As the tape cartridge is inserted into the tape drive, an idle roller moves into position to push the leader against a motorized roller, pinching the tape leader therein between. As the motorized roller rotates, friction between the leader and rollers urges the leader through the tape path and into the take-up reel locking slot. A slight predetermined rotation of the take-up reel secures the leader with a locking member further defined within the locking slot.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge having an integral key is provided for use within a magnetic tape drive having a tape cartridge guide assembly adapted for use with the integral key. The integral key is defined on the exterior of the cartridge housing and comprises a raised fixture or tab. The tape cartridge guide assembly includes at least one slit portion. During use, the tape cartridge having the integral key is inserted into the tape drive, the integral key is aligned and permitted to traverse the slit portion for enabling the cartridge to enter the subsystem.

Abstract: A permanent magnet for an actuator motor of a disk drive is provided herein. The permanent magnet includes an arch shaped magnet body which is made of a magnet powder. The magnet body including a first segment and a second segment which are substantially side by side. Each segment has a north pole and a spaced apart south pole. Each segment includes a first region having a first region axis which extends between the north pole and the south pole and a second region which encircles the first region. Importantly, the magnet powder is aligned during manufacturing to form a powder pattern having first region powder lines in the first region which are substantially parallel with the first region axis and second region powder lines in the second region which are angled relative to the first region axis.

Abstract: A disk drive having forced convection cooling is provided herein. The disk drive includes a drive housing, a disk assembly, an actuator assembly, a fluid passageway and a fluid source. The drive housing defines a housing internal chamber which contains the disk assembly and the actuator assembly. The fluid passageway extends through the housing internal chamber near the disk assembly and the actuator assembly. The fluid source provides fluid flow through the fluid passageway to cool the housing internal chamber. This allows the disk drive to operate at cooler temperatures. As a result thereof, the disk drive is less affected by thermal expansion and the operational life of the components of the disk drive are increased.

Abstract: A magnetic tape drive data storage device includes a plurality of tape guides, wherein each of the plurality of tape guides is adjusted such that magnetic recording tape passes along tape travel surfaces of each of the plurality of tape guides in a desired perpendicular plane. Each of the plurality of tape guides includes a cylindrical shaft which is mounted to a head guide assembly (HGA), and a tape travel surface which co-axially rotates about the shaft as the magnetic recording tape passes along the tape travel surface. To orient the tape travel surface in a desired plane perpendicular to a perpendicularity datum, an adjustment component (e.g., a washer) is slipped over an upper stub portion of the shaft that extends above a flange of the HGA. Once the tape travel surface is oriented in the desired perpendicular plane, the adjustment component is secured to the flange to ensure that the tape travel surface remains in the desired perpendicular plane.

Abstract: An attachment for a circular trampoline includes four backstops that are attached to the base frame of the trampoline. Each backstop includes a backstop bed, which is attached to an arch-shaped backstop frame with a suspension system. Each backstop is mounted to the base frame and extends upwardly and outwardly from the base bed. An apex of each backstop is positioned over the base frame. With this configuration, the backstops surround the user within a court-like protected area and help to prevent the user from falling off of the trampoline. Additionally, four aprons can be attached to the base bed near its perimeter and to a respective backstop frame to prevent the user of the trampoline from stepping on or hitting the base springs and/or the base trampoline frame. The attachment converts a round trampoline bed into a functionally rectangular bed in appearance to the user and provides the same reference point benefits of a rectangular trampoline bed.

Abstract: A device and method for storing magnetically readable data are provided, the device including a disk having a substantially rigid, non-magnetizable substrate having a substantially planar surface and a magnetizable film having a substantially uniform thickness formed over the substantially planar surface. The disk has an outer surface having a nominal surface plane, and the outer surface includes a plurality of marks, each having a bump height above the nominal surface plane, a crater depth below the nominal surface plane, a mark radius, a bump radius of curvature, a crater radius of curvature and a separation from a consecutive mark, and at least one of the bump height, the crater depth, the mark radius, the bump radius of curvature, the crater radius of curvature and the separation is substantially randomly distributed according to any distribution of random variables such as, for example, a Gaussian normal, uniform, Poisson-like or Bernoulli-like binomial-like distribution.

Abstract: Weightless Toy Objects where the upward buoyancy force of lighter than air gas inside the Toy Object body is carefully balanced against the gravitational weight of the Toy Object using a system of balance weights and orientation weights enabling the Toy Object to stay at a height and orientation in a space where it is deposited. The Toy Object can be in generic shapes, such as cube, cylinder and sphere for building larger weightless Toy Objects or in an identifiable shape such as cloud or airplane.

Abstract: A multi-drive, multi-magazine mass storage and retrieval unit for tape cartridges which automatically retrieves a selected one of a plurality of tape cartridges from one of a plurality of tape cartridge magazines for transfer to a selected one of a plurality of tape drives. The unit further retrieves a selected one of a plurality of tape cartridges from one of the plurality of tape drives for storage in one of the plurality of tape cartridge magazines. A tape cartridge elevator retrieves and transports the tape cartridges between the plurality of tape cartridge magazines and the plurality of tape drives. An interunit cartridge transport unit enables multiple tape storage and retrieval units to be coupled together and cartridges to be passed automatically between the coupled units.

Abstract: An improved tape drive is provided herein. The tape drive includes a cartridge receiver and a buckler. The cartridge receiver receives a cartridge having a cartridge leader. The buckler selectively retains a drive leader of the tape drive. The tape drive and cartridge include an improved buckle which securely couples the drive leader of the tape drive to the cartridge leader of the cartridge. As provided herein, the buckler includes a pair of spaced apart buckler retainers which selectively engage a buckle bar of the drive leader. The buckler selectively moves the buckle bar relative to the cartridge leader to couple the drive leader to the cartridge leader.

Abstract: A fine lateral head positioner for a tape drive includes a frame mounted to a base of a tape transport. A tape head slides laterally along a head guide. A guide beam actuated by a fine position actuator applies limited transverse adjustments to the tape head relative to a tape transport path via a cam and cam-follower arrangement. A coarse positioner between the frame and the base provides coarse position adjustment of the tape head laterally among multiple sets of parallel tracks defined along a longitudinal direction of a magnetic tape moving along the tape transport path, and the guide beam provides fine position adjustment of the tape head enabling it to follow in real time a particular set of parallel tracks of the tape during each data writing or reading operation.

Abstract: An improved man machine interface for computer, television, electronic games and appliances, allowing rapid, easy and natural control and selections from a large array of choices. The remote control device has one multi-function thumb push switch, allowing cursor movement, rate of movement and object selection to be performed from this one thumb switch and an index finger slide switch for mode control, whereas these switches are located in the natural resting positions of thumb and finger when the device is held in either the left or the right hand. The remote control device is equipped with a display window for displaying device status, transmitting means, working in conjunction with a general purpose computer with a video monitor for controlling and selecting program data, or working in conjunction with a television controlling and selecting television programming choices.

Abstract: A reel for a tape drive and cartridge is provided herein. The reel can be utilized as a take-up reel for the tape drive and/or a feed reel for the cartridge. The reel includes a hub which receives the storage tape and a pair of guide bars which guide the storage tape onto the hub. Importantly, the guide bars inhibit lateral tape movement during transfer of the storage tape between the take-up reel and the feed reel. This minimizes data recovery errors and increases the life of the storage tape.

Abstract: A disk separator for a disk assembly of a disk drive is provided herein. The disk assembly includes a plurality of storage disks which are spaced apart on a spindle by a plurality of the disk separators. As provided herein, each disk separator includes a disk spacer and a pair of disk dampers. The disk spacer is rigid and includes a first section which extends between adjacent storage disks for maintaining the storage disks accurately spaced apart on the spindle. Each disk damper is positioned between one of the storage disks and a second section of the disk spacer for dampening the level of vibration in the storage disks. The reduced vibration level decreases the level of mis-registration which occurs during operation of the disk drive and allows for the use of high rotational speed, high density, storage disks.