Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention comprises a series pass transistor with its emitter arranged to receive a source of DC power, its collector arranged to supply a DC load, and its base connected to the junction of a capacitor to ground and an inductor to the collector. An output capacitor from the collector to ground is alternatively included. In a second embodiment of the present invention, an operational amplifier is inserted in the base circuit to increase the effective circuit gain.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a head disk assembly (HDA) simulator that outputs a flexible, totally electronic simulation of an HDA. It outputs a programmable standard HDA signal. As such the HDA simulator generates the head signal that a functioning, already servo-written HDA would provide. This signal can be ideal, eliminating any anomalies and inconsistencies inherent in electromechanical devices. Quantifiable amounts of anomalies can be systematically introduced to allow design margin testing. The HDA simulator is controlled in two ways. First, by allowing a user to choose items from four menus. And second, by allowing the user to use a built-in text editor to edit ASCII files that control the servo patterns and simulator operation. Independent channels of repetitive signals are available to specify sync, servo and data patterns. For any given simulated head position, simulated adjacent tracks are generated and then mixed-in at an appropriate ratio.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a customizable integrated circuit including a basic cell diffusion of four transistors in a substrate. A first metallization layer includes a plurality of connective strips that electrically connect to the basic cell by a plurality of contacts. A second metallization layer, after a first patterning and chemical etch, comprises an orthogonal matrix of conductors that are electrically connected to corresponding connective strips by a plurality of vias that are respectively positioned at an intersection of orthogonal conductors. A second patterning and chemical etch of the second metallization layer configures the basic cell according to a user's specification.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a GPS receiver capable of concurrently tracking up to eight GPS satellites. The GPS receiver comprises computer-implemented methods for parallel search, split search and precomputation. The parallel search method causes the apparent Doppler frequency spectrum to be sectioned into several segments and a first GPS satellite signal is searched for in parallel in each of the segments. When the first GPS fix is not found after a predetermined time has expired, a split search is begun.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a ballast for a high intensity discharge lamp that includes a non-automatically resetting thermal protector thermally coupled to a coil wound on a core and insulation between the coil and the core. Only one cycle is allowed into what may be a range of temperatures capable of destroying the insulation within the ballast.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a short arc lamp comprising an alumina ceramic cylindrically shaped body with a concave opening at one end that is silvered to form a reflector, a cathode suspended within the concave opening in opposition to an anode that protrudes through a hole in the center of the concave opening from the opposite end of the body, a circular iron base that supports the anode at its center and attaches to the body with a metal ring that bridges a separation between the base and the body, and a copper heat transfer pad that is brazed to the inside of the metal ring and the body such that heat is efficiently transferred from the area of the concave reflector near the hole for the anode to a heat sink that attaches to the metal ring outside the lamp. A copper plug brazed as an integral part of the anode serves to distribute heat efficiently throughout the anode.

Abstract: A balancing sport including an elongated platform for receiving a participant. A lower surface of the platform is attached to two sectors which ate rotatable about two shafts positioned along a common horizontal axis of rotation. Each shaft is secured about a sector post anchored to a horizontal planar board. The lower surface of the board is attached to a pivot means with the board being pivotable about a vertical axis of rotation. The pivot means is attached to a rectangular plank movable along a linear horizontal axis. The lower surface of the plank includes attached axles with wheels attached. Each wheel is positioned within track rails projecting perpendicular and away from the bottom surface of the plank. Each track rail extends longitudinally parallel relative to one another and the linear axis.

Abstract: A first process embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of implanting a blanket low dose n-well implant before field oxidation. A blanket n-type punchthrough suppression implant precedes the field oxidation step. After field oxidation, an implantation masking step is used to adjust the doping for the p-well in its active and field regions.

Abstract: A computer card apparatus for interconnecting with and securely retaining a removable plug. The computer card's circuitry and components encapsuled within an insulating material, a sheet of metal superimposed over the insulating material and a plastic housing encompassing the sheet, insulating material, components and circuitry.

Abstract: An article diverter for changing the conveyor path of successive conveyed articles from a single succession to at least two successions of articles. The diverter includes actuators positioned adjacent to one conveyor path but on opposite sides of the conveyor path. A flexible terminal end of one actuator is moveable, across the conveyor path to end adjacent to the flexible terminal end of another actuator when said ends are compressed. Each of the flexible terminal ends are directed towards the center of the first conveyor path when compressed. The flexible terminal ends are connected to piston rods which are retractable and extendable responsive to a control signal. The two actuators contain a member to hold their terminal end parallel to the conveyor path when the rod is extended and in a second position which intersects the conveyor path when the rods are retracted. When the ends of the two actuators intersect the conveyor path, articles contacting the actuators are diverted to a second path.

Abstract: A method of removal of valuable minerals of oil sand tailings including continuous operation of mixing said tailings with acid, curing the agglomeration and leaching of the cured agglomeration for removal of valuable minerals.

Abstract: An air cargo container (1) for use as an integral part of the aircraft. It is adaptable to any of numerous options while maintaining basic structural and functional concepts. Fundamentally, it comprises a floor (7) enclosed by a body (2) having an opening (12) in one wall that, except for modest top and side edges, enables substantially full access for loading and unloading. A rigid, removable door panel (8) with a structural flange (17) directly engages with a structural channel (13) or similar surface to create a watertight seal around the opening (12) and the door panel (8) is tightened to the floor (7) by a stationary tie-down means (18,19). The door panel (8) overlaps the edges (9) of the body (2) that surround the opening (12), providing a superior seal and protective barrier to environmental elements and pilferage, and superior structural strength. The door panel (8) distributes evenly around the edges (9) any weight stresses against the door panel (8).

Abstract: A vaulting board including ramp framing with a pliable bed sheet within the interior confines of the framing and interconnected to the framing by resilient connector means.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention combines, on a single integrated circuit, a first bipolar transistor in a common-emitter configuration capacitively coupled to a second bipolar transistor in a common-base configuration, together with a capacitive input coupling for a single-ended input and directly-coupled collector outputs for a differential-output for driving successive differential-input and differential-output emitter-coupled transistor pairs for multiple stages of amplifier gain.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a luminaire for roughly uniform illumination of a square area without side glare. The luminaire uses a horizontally oriented arc tube lamp. A basket reflector surrounds the arc tube lamp and directs light out in a square pattern. A top aperture in the basket reflector is opposite to the illuminated square area. A bottom aperture, positioned in the basket reflector, permits light from the arc tube lamp to pass out to the illuminated square area. A center reflector is centrally positioned above the top aperture and has bow-tie shaped body and a pair of ends that are orthogonally oriented to the arc tube lamp. A pair of side reflectors with a plurality of faceted reflective surfaces receive light from the arc tube lamp that has been reflected from the center reflector. The side reflectors are positioned at opposite points outside the basket structure and are centered along a line perpendicular to the arc tube lamp.

Abstract: A diskette comprising a jacket, a liner material disposed within said jacket, a flat circular media having a magnetic coating on both sides disposed within said liner material, a hub attached at the center of said media, a plurality of optical positioning tracks on at least one of said sides of said media, and a media type code optically embossed on at least one of said sides of said media. The media type code contains information about the physical properties of the particular diskette that will allow a disk drive unit to auto-configure itself to allow optimum data communication and performance.