Abstract: A creel system includes a plurality of tension controller apparatuses that hold spools of wire. The tension controller apparatuses apply tension to the wire and may be manipulated to fine-tune or control the tension applied to the wire. The creel system may further include a plurality of sensors that measure operation of the creel system as well as the condition of the wire. In such embodiments, the creel system may include a user-interface that provides data to the operator in real time and with which the operator may interact to control operation of the creel system.

Abstract: An electric drive axle of a vehicle includes an electric motor having an output shaft. An idler assembly is drivingly coupled to the electric motor and a differential. The idler assembly includes a first gear-clutch assembly to facilitate a first gear ratio and a second gear-clutch assembly to facilitate a second gear ratio.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: A disk drive has multiple disk surfaces and corresponding heads, each disk surface includes multiple regions, and each head is for recording on and playback of information from a corresponding disk surface. The data track density in a first region on a first disk surface is different than the data track density in a second region on a second disk surface, and the first and second regions are radially similarly situated regions. A method of sequentially accessing data in the first and second regions includes sequentially accessing data tracks in the first region and then sequentially accessing data tracks in the second region.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes a slider body having a trailing surface meeting an air-bearing surface at a trailing edge. A magnetic read and write elements are disposed along the trailing surface near the trailing edge. The magnetic write element includes write poles and a coil. A portion of a heating element is disposed in a first general plane beneath the coil and above the magnetic read element. At least one thermally-insulating layer of material having a thermal conductivity of less than about 2.0 W/m-K extends in a second general plane substantially beneath the heating element.

Abstract: A disk drive has multiple disk surfaces and corresponding heads, each disk surface includes multiple regions, and each head is for recording on and playback of information from a corresponding disk surface. The data track density in a first region on a first disk surface is greater than the data track density in a first region on a second disk surface, the data track density in a second region on the first disk surface is less than the data track density in a second region on the second disk surface, the first regions are radially similarly situated regions and the second regions are radially similarly situated regions.

Abstract: A data storage device has multiple storage media surfaces and corresponding heads, each storage media surface includes multiple regions, and each head is for recording on and playback of information from a corresponding storage media surface. A method of defining a storage format for the storage media surfaces includes reading data from each region on each storage media surface with the corresponding head, measuring a record/playback performance of each head for each region on each corresponding storage media surface based on the data read from the regions, and selecting a track density for each region on each storage media surface based on the measured record/playback performance of the corresponding head for the region.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer software are provided for testing a laser. Initially, the laser is operated at a first bias setting and a data rate of about 10 Gb/s, and a first side mode suppression ratio of the laser output is measured that is based on a first ratio of a highest and next highest optical power peaks as a function of a first wavelength. Next, the laser is operated at a second bias setting and a data rate of about 10 Gb/s, and a second side mode suppression ratio of the laser output is measured that is based on a second ratio of a highest and next highest optical power peaks as a function of a second wavelength. A test result for the laser is then generated in accordance with a difference between the first and second side mode suppression ratios.

Abstract: A generally square cross section support is configured to be received within the receptacle of a conventional trailer hitch of a vehicle. A step plate having a generally planar shape is pivotally secured to the outer end of the support and is pivotable between a raised or vertical orientation and a lowered or horizontal step providing orientation. An over-center spring mechanism is operative upon the step plate to provide stable step plate positioning in either of its two positions. In an alternate embodiment, a source of illumination which is operative in the lowered step providing position of the step plate is utilized.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer software are provided for testing a laser. Initially, the laser is operated at a first bias setting and a data rate of about 10 Gb/s, and a first side mode suppression ratio of the laser output is measured that is based on a first ratio of a highest and next highest optical power peaks as a function of a first wavelength. Next, the laser is operated at a second bias setting and a data rate of about 10 Gb/s, and a second side mode suppression ratio of the laser output is measured that is based on a second ratio of a highest and next highest optical power peaks as a function of a second wavelength. A test result for the laser is then generated in accordance with a difference between the first and second side mode suppression ratios.

Abstract: A key requirement of a fiber optic communication system is its ability to transmit data from one location to another relatively free of errors in the data stream. The data stream error rate is a function of the error rate of the laser module utilized to transmit the data. A fast and efficient method of testing a laser module, in order to estimate its bit error rate, is to measure side mode suppression ratios of the laser module output while operating the laser module at each of a first and second bias setting, and to generate a test result for the laser module in accordance with the difference between the first and second side mode suppression ratio measurements. Furthermore, a system is provided for performing this laser module testing method.

Abstract: A method of defining storage format in a data storage device having a plurality of storage media and a plurality of corresponding data transducer heads, each transducer head for recording on and playback of information from a corresponding storage medium. A storage format is defined in at least one region on each storage medium, wherein each region includes a plurality of concentric tracks for recording on and playback of information. The method includes: moving each storage medium with respect to the corresponding transducer head and reading data from each storage medium with the corresponding transducer head; measuring a record/playback performance capability of each transducer head; selecting a group of track densities, one track density for each region on a storage medium, based on the measured record/playback performance capability of the corresponding transducer head.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) device includes a synthetic antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer having an Fe/FeSi/Fe construction. A first Fe layer of the synthetic AFM layer has a magnetization substantially in a first direction, while a second Fe layer of the synthetic AFM layer has a magnetization substantially in a second direction that is substantially antiparallel to the first direction. The magnetoresistive device can be a spin valve in which a first surface of the synthetic AFM layer is adjacent to a pinning layer, and a second surface of the synthetic AFM layer is adjacent to a spacer layer. Further, the spin valve includes a free layer that overlies the spacer, thereby being separated from the synthetic AFM layer by the spacer. The pinning layer, synthetic AFM layer, spacer, and free layer can be bounded by a first shield and a second shield to provide magnetic shielding of the spin valve sensor.

Abstract: A key requirement of a fiber optic communication system is its ability to transmit data from one location to another relatively free of errors in the data stream. The data stream error rate is a function of the error rate of the laser module utilized to transmit the data. A fast and efficient method of testing a laser module, in order to estimate its bit error rate, is to measure side mode suppression ratios of the laser module output while operating the laser module at each of a first and second bias setting, and to generate a test result for the laser module in accordance with the difference between the first and second side mode suppression ratio measurements. Furthermore, a system is provided for performing this laser module testing method.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) device includes a synthetic antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer having an Fe/FeSi/Fe construction. A first Fe layer of the synthetic AFM layer has a magnetization substantially in a first direction, while a second Fe layer of the synthetic AFM layer has a magnetization substantially in a second direction that is substantially antiparallel to the first direction. The magnetoresistive device can be a spin valve in which a first surface of the synthetic AFM layer is adjacent to a pinning layer, and a second surface of the synthetic AFM layer is adjacent to a spacer layer. Further, the spin valve includes a free layer that overlies the spacer, thereby being separated from the synthetic AFM layer by the spacer. The pinning layer, synthetic AFM layer, spacer, and free layer can be bounded by a first shield and a second shield to provide magnetic shielding of the spin valve sensor.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) device includes a synthetic antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer having an Fe/FeSi/Fe construction. A first Fe layer of the synthetic AFM layer has a magnetization substantially in a first direction, while a second Fe layer of the synthetic AFM layer has a magnetization substantially in a second direction that is substantially antiparallel to the first direction. The magnetoresistive device can be a spin valve in which a first surface of the synthetic AFM layer is adjacent to a pinning layer, and a second surface of the synthetic AFM layer is adjacent to a spacer layer. Further, the spin valve includes a free layer that overlies the spacer, thereby being separated from the synthetic AFM layer by the spacer. The pinning layer, synthetic AFM layer, spacer, and free layer can be bounded by a first shield and a second shield to provide magnetic shielding of the spin valve sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high-temperature precision sintering applications are disclosed wherein a flowable bed of a refractory particulate material is used to support an article during sintering to minimize distortions caused by shrinkage.

Abstract: High-temperature belt-type furnace apparatus utilizing a silicon carbide continuous belt design is disclosed.

Abstract: In a materials treating furnace, a belt is provided for transporting articles to be treated through a high temperature treatment zone. The belt comprises a succession of interwoven links, each of which is made up of a length of tungsten wire which has been heated and wound around an elliptical mandrel to provide a link which is in the form of a slightly flattened helix having no sharp bends. The interweaving of the helical links provides a large number of interlocking contact points between successive links.

Abstract: Tungsten heating elements are protected inside sapphire tubes which extend through an insulating shell made up of layers of successively more refractory material. Common plenums are provided at each end of the tubes and a controlled flow of a non-reactive gas is introduced into one of the plenums and is vented from the other plenum after passing through the tubes and protecting the heating elements.