Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method of mapping defects on a data storage medium analyze one or more previously-identified defects on a storage medium to detect any growth in those defects over time, such that any detected growth of a previously-identified defect can be accommodated for through the dynamic remapping of additional surface area adjacent the defect to one or more replacement regions located elsewhere on the storage medium. As such, any buffer regions defined around pre-existing defects are effectively maintained as those defects grow over time, thus maintaining suitable protection from data loss that would otherwise result from an attempt to store information in a region that has been impinged upon as a result of the growth of an adjacent defect.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (“PV”) device comprises a plurality of PV cell modules arranged in tandem. Each of the plurality of the tandem PV cell modules comprises at least a PV cell that comprises a pair of electrodes, at least one of which is substantially transparent to the light received by the PV device; an electron donor material, which is a photoactivatable material; and an electron acceptor material. The electron donor material of each of the plurality of the tandem PV cell modules is capable of absorbing a different portion of the spectrum of light received by the PV device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit package such as a BGA package for use with an integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit package has a substrate formed with a cavity that exposes a lower conductive level in the package so that connections between the integrated circuit chip and the lower conductive level may be formed to reduce the through holes formed in the substrate. As a result, additional signal line interconnections may be included in the substrate circuit package and/or the size of the integrated circuit chip may be decreased. Each of these may be implemented for enhanced electrical performance. The multiple wire bonding tiers in the substrate may also provide greater wire separation that eases wire bonding and subsequent encapsulation processes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing adaptive reordering of data recovery procedure (DRP) steps in a direct access storage device (DASD). An initial set of DRP steps is stored. A reorder table is stored during the operation of the DASD. The reorder table includes data recovery data for each data head of successful predefined DRP step numbers. When a DRP process is started, checking for a modified DRP step is performed using the reorder table. Responsive to not identifying the modified DRP step, file parameters for a DRP read operation are set based on the initial set of DRP steps. Responsive to identifying the modified DRP step, file parameters for a DRP read operation are set based on a reordered DRP step that is identified by using the stored successful predefined DRP step numbers in the reorder table. When a successful DRP read operation is identified, the data recovery data in the reorder table are updated.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method of mapping defects on a data storage medium analyze one or more previously-identified defects on a storage medium to detect any growth in those defects over time, such that any detected growth of a previously-identified defect can be accommodated for through the dynamic remapping of additional surface area adjacent the defect to one or more replacement regions located elsewhere on the storage medium. As such, any buffer regions defined around pre-existing defects are effectively maintained as those defects grow over time, thus maintaining suitable protection from data loss that would otherwise result from an attempt to store information in a region that has been impinged upon as a result of the growth of an adjacent defect.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing adaptive reordering of data recovery procedure (DRP) steps in a direct access storage device (DASD). An initial set of DRP steps is stored. A reorder table is stored during the operation of the DASD. The reorder table includes data recovery data for each data head of successful predefined DRP step numbers. When a DRP process is started, checking for a modified DRP step is performed using the reorder table. Responsive to not identifying the modified DRP step, file parameters for a DRP read operation are set based on the initial set of DRP steps. Responsive to identifying the modified DRP step, file parameters for a DRP read operation are set based on a reordered DRP step that is identified by using the stored successful predefined DRP step numbers in the reorder table. When a successful DRP read operation is identified, the data recovery data in the reorder table are updated.

Abstract: An anti-scatter grid for radiography includes a plurality of generally radiation absorbing elements and a plurality of generally non-radiation absorbing elements in which the generally non-radiation absorbing elements include a plurality of voids. Desirably, the non-radiation absorbing elements include an epoxy or polymeric material and a plurality of hollow microspheres. Disclosed is also an apparatus for forming an anti-scatter grid in which the apparatus includes a pivoting arm and surface for use in aligning a plurality of spaced-apart generally radiation absorbing elements relative to a radiation source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for thermal asperity recovery for word sync detection in data channels. A word sync field contains a plurality of word sync patterns. A word sync detector receives a read signal of the word sync field. The word sync detector identifies a first subset of the plurality of word sync patterns and starts a customer data read. When the word sync detector fails to identify the first subset of the plurality of word sync patterns, the read signal of the word sync field is received again. Then the word sync detector identifies a second predefined subset of the plurality of word sync patterns and starts a customer data read. A single word sync field is used instead of the conventional dual word sync fields required for each sector. The second predefined subset of the plurality of word sync patterns is smaller than the first subset. For example, when the first subset is defined as 4 of 8, the second predefined subset is 2 of 8.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump includes a housing, a piston slideably mounted within the housing for a reciprocating movement, a shaft connected to the piston and adapted for reciprocating movement concurrently with the piston, an inlet valve, a discharge valve, and an interstage valve means. A first chamber on one side of the piston is in fluid communication with an inlet and a second chamber on the opposite side of the piston is in fluid communication with a discharge, and the first and second chambers are in fluid communication. At least part of the shaft is in the second chamber. The interstage valve means, which controls the fluid flowing from the first chamber to the second chamber, is closed during a suction stroke and is open during a compression stroke.

Abstract: A method and expert system are capable of assisting experts in documenting failure attributes of a functional system as well as subsequent users in diagnosing the functional system. The system uses an author interface, an inference generator, and a user interface to draw authoring and diagnostic inferences based on expert and user input. The inference generator includes a knowledge base containing general failure attribute information. The inference generator allows the expert system to provide experts and users with suggestions relating to the particular task at hand. The result is a fully integrated means for documenting failure attributes of a functional system, and for diagnosing the functional system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for forming a high integrity imager device having a passivation layer disposed over a photosensor array, a passivation layer with an adhesion topography on its surface, and a scintillator layer disposed over the passivation layer such that the scintillator layer is coupled to the adhesion topography.

Abstract: An anti-scatter grid for radiography includes a plurality of generally radiation absorbing elements and a plurality of generally non-radiation absorbing elements in which the generally non-radiation absorbing elements include a plurality of voids. Desirably, the non-radiation absorbing elements include an epoxy or polymeric material and a plurality of hollow microspheres. Disclosed is also an apparatus for forming an anti-scatter grid in which the apparatus includes a pivoting arm and surface for use in aligning a plurality of spaced-apart generally radiation absorbing elements relative to a radiation source.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring fluid from a vessel includes a pump, a first conduit, and a control means in fluid communication with the pump and having open and closed positions. The first end of the conduit is in fluid communication with the vessel and a second end of the conduit is in fluid communication with an inlet of the pump. The control means alternates between the open and the closed positions, whereby a stream of fluid flows into the pump inlet from the conduit when the control means first alternates to the open position, the control means alternates to the closed position and the fluid vaporizes in the pump thereby forming a vaporized portion of the fluid, and a stream of the vaporized portion of the fluid flows out of a pump outlet when the control means alternates again to the open position.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package such as a BGA package for use with an integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit package has substrate with a cavity that exposes a lower conductive level in the package so that connections between the integrated circuit chip and the lower conductive level may be formed to reduce the through holes formed in the substrate. As a result, additional signal line interconnections may be included in the substrate circuit package and/or the size of the integrated circuit chip may be decreased. Each of these may be implemented for enhanced electrical performance. The multiple wire bonding tiers in the substrate may also provide greater wire separation that eases wire bonding and subsequent encapsulation processes.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring fluid from a vessel includes a pump, a first conduit, and a control means in fluid communication with the pump and having open and closed positions. The first end of the conduit is in fluid communication with the vessel and a second end of the conduit is in fluid communication with an inlet of the pump. The control means alternates between the open and the closed positions, whereby a stream of fluid flows into the pump inlet from the conduit when the control means first alternates to the open position, the control means alternates to the closed position and the fluid vaporizes in the pump thereby forming a vaporized portion of the fluid, and a stream of the vaporized portion of the fluid flows out of a pump outlet when the control means alternates again to the open position.

Abstract: An anti-scatter grid for radiography includes a plurality of generally radiation absorbing elements and a plurality of generally non-radiation absorbing elements in which the generally non-radiation absorbing elements include a plurality of voids. Desirably, the non-radiation absorbing elements include an epoxy or polymeric material and a plurality of hollow microspheres. Disclosed is also an apparatus for forming an anti-scatter grid in which the apparatus includes a pivoting arm and surface for use in aligning a plurality of spaced-apart generally radiation absorbing elements relative to a radiation source.

Abstract: A plantar fascitis foot support apparatus, including a support strap for being positioned in a generally U-shaped configuration along the medial and lateral aspects of the ankle and extending under and supporting the plantar fascia region of the foot. An ankle-encircling retention strap is attached by its opposite ends to the support strap at a substantially right angle thereto for retaining the support strap in a supporting position against the plantar fascia region. The support strap includes an inelastic segment and at least one attached elastic segment for providing controlled stretch of the support strap during placement on the foot and during subsequent movement of the foot while the support is in place. Complementary and releasably-adjustable fastener elements are carried by the retention strap and the support strap for permitting lengthwise adjustment of the support strap relative to the plantar fascia region of the foot.

Abstract: A plantar fascitis foot support apparatus, including a support strap for being positioned in a generally U-shaped configuration along the medial and lateral aspects of the ankle and extending under and supporting the plantar fascia region of the foot. An ankle-encircling retention strap is attached by its opposite ends to the support strap at a substantially right angle thereto for retaining the support strap in a supporting position against the plantar fascia region. The support strap includes an inelastic segment and at least one attached elastic segment for providing controlled stretch of the support strap during placement on the foot and during subsequent movement of the foot while the support is in place. Complementary and releasably-adjustable fastener elements are carried by the retention strap and the support strap for permitting lengthwise adjustment of the support strap relative to the plantar fascia region of the foot.

Abstract: A plantar fascitis foot support apparatus, including a support strap for being positioned in a generally U-shaped configuration along the medial and lateral aspects of the ankle and extending under and supporting the plantar fascia region of the foot. An ankle-encircling retention strap is attached by its opposite ends to the support strap at a substantially right angle thereto for retaining the support strap in a supporting position against the plantar fascia region. The support strap includes an inelastic segment and at least one attached elastic segment for providing controlled stretch of the support strap during placement on the foot and during subsequent movement of the foot while the support is in place. Complementary and releasably-adjustable fastener elements are carried by the retention strap and the support strap for permitting lengthwise adjustment of the support strap relative to the plantar fascia region of the foot.

Abstract: Apparatus for drilling lateral drainholes from a well casing comprises a flexible shaft having a bit at the lower end; the shaft extending through a shaft guide conduit anchored within the casing adjacent an oil-bearing formation. The “L” shaped guide conduit re-directs the shaft from an path parallel to the casing, through an elbow, to a path substantially perpendicular to the casing. The flexible shaft is formed of a helically wound outer coil spring and one or more helically wound and smaller inner coil springs residing concentrically therein. Each coil spring is closely fitted within the other. Each coil spring is wound opposite in direction to that of the next adjacent coil spring so as to interfere when under torsion. Bushings are located within the elbow for causing the shaft to flex and turn while permitting rotation and axial movement therethrough. A motor imparts torque into the top of the shaft, preferably through an intermediate driveshaft.