Patents by Inventor Charles Allan

Charles Allan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8885289
    Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device a desiccant device that comprises a first desiccant material, a second desiccant material, and an activated carbon layer. The first desiccant material has a relatively high rate of water vapor absorption while the second desiccant material has a relatively low rate of water vapor absorption. The activated carbon layer absorbs airborne organic airborne particles. The desiccant device may be a breather filer or may be disposed entirely within the interior of the electronic equipment, e.g., the desiccant device may be a recirculation filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Charles Allan Brown
  • Patent number: 8867164
    Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device that possesses a water vapor permeability rate that matches or is substantially similar to the water vapor permeability rate of the enclosure. In this way, desiccant devices may prevent the desiccant material enclosed within from releasing large amounts of humidity into the interior of the electronic equipment. The desiccant device may be constructed using a laminate material that comprises an interior facing material and an exterior facing material. The exterior facing material permits water to diffuse faster therethrough than the interior facing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Charles Allan Brown
  • Patent number: 8861127
    Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device that possesses a water vapor permeability rate that matches or is substantially similar to the water vapor permeability rate of the enclosure. In this way, desiccant devices may prevent the desiccant material enclosed within from releasing large amounts of humidity into the interior of the electronic equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Charles Allan Brown, Bruno Marchon
  • Patent number: 8693135
    Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. A hard-disk drive (HDD) may comprise a desiccant device that provides a source of a beneficial vapor, such as an antioxidant, a vapor corrosion inhibitor, or a colubricant, within an enclosure of the HDD. The desiccant device absorbs water vapor within the enclosure but does not absorb the beneficial vapor within the enclosure. The desiccant device may comprise a desiccant that has a plurality of micropores within a size range selected so as to allow the absorption of water but exclude the absorption of the beneficial vapor. The desiccant may be, but need not be, within the same physical container as the source of the beneficial vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Charles Allan Brown
  • Patent number: 8638524
    Abstract: Approaches for a hard-disk drive (HDD) comprised within a sealed enclosure that is filled with a substantially helium gas are provided. The HDD may include a shroud that surrounds a majority of a perimeter of a magnetic-recording disk. The HDD may also include an upstream spoiler having one or more wings. The shape of the upstream spoiler diverts a flow of the substantially helium gas that circulates when the magnetic-recording disk is rotating from a magnetic-recording head to a plenum chamber. The plenum chamber has a mouth that allows a portion of the circulating flow of substantially helium gas to flow therein. The mouth of the plenum chamber is a gap in the shroud that is prior to the upstream spoiler in the circulating flow of the substantially helium gas. A portion of the plenum chamber is formed using a particle filter opposing the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Charles Allan Brown
  • Patent number: 8599515
    Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device having a dual stage humidity control for use within sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device that comprises a first absorbing portion that comprises a first desiccant material and a second absorbing portion that comprises a second desiccant material. The first absorbing portion possesses a relatively rapid permeation rate for water vapor, while the second absorbing portion possesses a relatively low permeation rate for water vapor. The first desiccant material may have a relatively high rate of water vapor absorption, while the second desiccant material may have a relatively low rate of water vapor absorption. In this way, embodiments allow for the sensitive equipment to be dried out rapidly in manufacturing and yet have a slow reversible water absorption rate during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Charles Allan Brown
  • Publication number: 20130268962
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods that provide for integration of social media with live events are disclosed. Social media content could be published to an online social media service responsive to the detection of a trigger that is associated with a live event video broadcast. In some embodiments, incoming user-driven social media content is repurposed and automatically reformatted for video display. Story content sources and citations might also be integrated for broadcast stories. Story content approval and notification could also be supported.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Shawn Andrew SNIDER, Charles Allan Pepper, Bradley Howard Rochon, Jeffrey Derek Moore, Emil Sadok
  • Publication number: 20130114163
    Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device having a dual stage humidity control for use within sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device that comprises a first absorbing portion that comprises a first desiccant material and a second absorbing portion that comprises a second desiccant material. The first absorbing portion possesses a relatively rapid permeation rate for water vapor, while the second absorbing portion possesses a relatively low permeation rate for water vapor. The first desiccant material may have a relatively high rate of water vapor absorption, while the second desiccant material may have a relatively low rate of water vapor absorption. In this way, embodiments allow for the sensitive equipment to be dried out rapidly in manufacturing and yet have a slow reversible water absorption rate during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: Charles Allan Brown
  • Patent number: 8427775
    Abstract: A particle-capturing device. The particle-capturing device includes a component having a surface that is configured to be disposed inside an enclosure, and is configured to make contact with an air-stream carrying particles within the enclosure. The component includes an electrostatic particle-capturing portion that includes a dielectric electrically insulating portion, and a plurality of charged portions. The charged portions are embedded in the dielectric electrically insulating portion, and are configured to generate an electrostatic field coupled with the surface that captures the particles from a flow of the air-stream and confines the particles at the surface. In addition, the component is configured to provide at least one additional function within the enclosure exclusive of capturing particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Charles Allan Brown, John Martin Burns, Ricardo German Duque, Clayton Paul Henderson, Charles E. Hignite, Rocky Dikang Mai, Jr-Yi Shen
  • Publication number: 20130088795
    Abstract: Approaches for a hard-disk drive (HDD) comprised within a sealed enclosure that is filled with a substantially helium gas are provided. The HDD may include a shroud that surrounds a majority of a perimeter of a magnetic-recording disk. The HDD may also include an upstream spoiler having one or more wings. The shape of the upstream spoiler diverts a flow of the substantially helium gas that circulates when the magnetic-recording disk is rotating from a magnetic-recording head to a plenum chamber. The plenum chamber has a mouth that allows a portion of the circulating flow of substantially helium gas to flow therein. The mouth of the plenum chamber is a gap in the shroud that is prior to the upstream spoiler in the circulating flow of the substantially helium gas. A portion of the plenum chamber is formed using a particle filter opposing the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Charles Allan Brown
  • Publication number: 20130047860
    Abstract: My product, called the ARC (Anti-rust case) is a case, which contains oxygen and moisture absorbing desiccant. The desiccant, being activated clay, silica gel, and molecular sieve, is contained inside the case along with products that need to remain free of rust. The main object of the case is to prevent rust from forming on the blades of a manual shaver or straight razor. The main components of this product are the case, which restrict air flow, and the desiccant which absorb oxygen and moisture. Without the presence of moisture the formation of rust is slowed so that the razors blades can perform its purpose longer. As pertaining to prior art, I have found no products that are similar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Charles Allan Lawhorne
  • Publication number: 20130044393
    Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device that possesses a water vapor permeability rate that matches or is substantially similar to the water vapor permeability rate of the enclosure. In this way, desiccant devices may prevent the desiccant material enclosed within from releasing large amounts of humidity into the interior of the electronic equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Charles Allan Brown, Bruno Marchon
  • Publication number: 20130044391
    Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device a desiccant device that comprises a first desiccant material, a second desiccant material, and an activated carbon layer. The first desiccant material has a relatively high rate of water vapor absorption while the second desiccant material has a relatively low rate of water vapor absorption. The activated carbon layer absorbs airborne organic airborne particles. The desiccant device may be a breather filer or may be disposed entirely within the interior of the electronic equipment, e.g., the desiccant device may be a recirculation filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Charles Allan Brown
  • Publication number: 20130044392
    Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device that possesses a water vapor permeability rate that matches or is substantially similar to the water vapor permeability rate of the enclosure. In this way, desiccant devices may prevent the desiccant material enclosed within from releasing large amounts of humidity into the interior of the electronic equipment. The desiccant device may be constructed using a laminate material that comprises an interior facing material and an exterior facing material. The exterior facing material permits water to diffuse faster therethrough than the interior facing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Charles Allan Brown
  • Publication number: 20120293890
    Abstract: A disk drive disk has a disk rim and a shroud faces the disk rim. At least one of the disk rim and the shroud interior surface have features formed thereon that cause both axial and circumferential air flow when the disk is rotated relative to the shroud, and the features extend for an axial distance of no more than the axial thickness of the disk. The features may extend both axially and circumferentially relative to said at least one of the disk rim and the shroud interior surface. The features may be slanted or helical slits. The disk rim also may be asymmetric, such as asymmetrically beveled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Charles Allan Brown, Ferdinand Hendriks
  • Patent number: 8307284
    Abstract: An audio and video production system and method, including a video production control switcher; and one or more computers connected through a network and configured for controlling the video production control switcher. The system is further configured for at least one of defining looks, including shot templates, that correspond to particular settings on the production control switcher or settings of parts of the production control switcher; defining sequences of the looks or assigning individual looks to control elements on a computer of the computers; transmitting the looks across the network; and translating of a single look into one or more standard editor commands, and transmitting the commands to the production control switcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ross Video Limited
    Inventors: David Allan Ross, Jeffrey Derek Moore, Troy David English, Gerald D. Kuch, Charles Allan Pepper, Christopher M. Rude, Jonathan Douglas Laurie Pile, Alun John Fryer
  • Patent number: 8134795
    Abstract: Approaches for determining the likelihood that a hard-disk drive (HDD) will experience an imminent error in operation, and preventing the same, using an atmospheric pressure sensor are provided. The HDD comprises an atmospheric pressure sensor capable of determining the altitude at which the HDD is currently located. The HDD also comprises a risk assessment component capable of (a) determining an expression of how likely it is that the HDD will experience an imminent error in operation based, at least in part, upon the current altitude of the HDD, and (b) communicating the expression to a user of the HDD. The HDD may optionally comprise one or more of a particle counter, differential pressure sensor, and a chemical vapor sensor for use by the risk assessment component. If the HDD is above a particular altitude, the Thermal Fly-Height control settings of the heads may be adjusted to reduce risk of error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Norbert A. Feliss, Donald Ray Gillis, Ferdinand Hendriks, Charles Allan Brown
  • Publication number: 20120039000
    Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. A hard-disk drive (HDD) may comprise a desiccant device that provides a source of a beneficial vapor, such as an antioxidant, a vapor corrosion inhibitor, or a colubricant, within an enclosure of the HDD. The desiccant device absorbs water vapor within the enclosure but does not absorb the beneficial vapor within the enclosure. The desiccant device may comprise a desiccant that has a plurality of micropores within a size range selected so as to allow the absorption of water but exclude the absorption of the beneficial vapor. The desiccant may be, but need not be, within the same physical container as the source of the beneficial vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Charles Allan Brown
  • Patent number: 8102621
    Abstract: Approaches for integrating an upstream spoiler with a particle filter in a hard-disk drive (HDD). According to an approach, a single part may comprise an upstream spoiler and an opening. The single part has a structure which enables an airborne particle filter to be positioned over or within the opening. The airborne particle filter, which covers the opening, has a curvature that follows the curvature of a shroud. When the upstream spoiler diverts a flow of air, which circulates within the enclosure when the magnetic-recording disk is rotating, from the magnetic-recording head, the upstream spoiler creates an area of relatively greater pressure. Air in the area of greater pressure flows through the airborne particle filter to an area of relatively lesser pressure, thereby removing airborne particles within the enclosure of the HDD. Alternately, the airborne particle filter may be positioned within slits present in the shroud and the upstream spoiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Ferdinand Hendriks, Charles Allan Brown
  • Publication number: 20120002320
    Abstract: A particle-capturing device. The particle-capturing device includes a component having a surface that is configured to be disposed inside an enclosure, and is configured to make contact with an air-stream carrying particles within the enclosure. The component includes an electrostatic particle-capturing portion that includes a dielectric electrically insulating portion, and a plurality of charged portions. The charged portions are embedded in the dielectric electrically insulating portion, and are configured to generate an electrostatic field coupled with the surface that captures the particles from a flow of the air-stream and confines the particles at the surface. In addition, the component is configured to provide at least one additional function within the enclosure exclusive of capturing particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Charles Allan Brown, John Martin Burns, Ricardo German Duque, Clayton Paul Henderson, Charles E. Hignite, Rocky Dikang Mai, Jr-Yi Shen