Abstract: Slots or apertures are formed in the connector shroud of a T/R module in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the connector so as to allow plating solution to flow freely through the entire inner portion of the connector, particularly the rear portion, during fabrication of the T/R module. The slots are formed prior to the shroud being brazed on to the module substrate. By allowing plating solution to flow through the connector, the interior of the connector can be more thoroughly plated, thereby improving the yield of the assembly while reducing cost.

Abstract: A read/write head for use in a disk drive having chamfered surfaces reducing possible damage to the head assembly and/or media during loading and unloading of heads form media surface. In an inadvertent collision between the media and head assembly, the media may become displaced, possibly damaging the head suspension assembly or critical electrical connections between the head assembly and media drive. Similarly, such a collision may impart irreversible physical damage to the recording medium, making the data on the medium unrecoverable. The present invention comprises chamfered surface, preferably formed into the head, which reduces the likelihood of damage caused to the head assembly or media in the event of an inadvertent collision. These chamfered surfaces deflect the media to its proper position such that damage is minimized during collision.

Abstract: Two discrete transmit/receive (T/R) channels are implemented in a single common T/R module package having the capability of providing combined functions, control and power conditioning while utilizing a single multi-cavity, multi-layer substrate comprised of high or low temperature cofired ceramic layers. The ceramic layers have outer surfaces including respective metallization patterns of ground planes and stripline conductors as well as feedthroughs or vertical vias formed therein for providing three dimensional routing of both shielded RF and DC power and logic control signals so as to configure, among other things, a pair of RF manifold signal couplers which are embedded in the substrate and which transition to a multi-pin blind mate press-on RF connector assembly at the front end of the package.

Abstract: A cartridge for a magnetic disk drive has a rigid shell and a flexible door which covers an opening through which read/write heads engage the recording medium. The flexible door is guided outside of the shell to an open position as the cartridge is inserted into the drive. A projection on a flexible arm in the drive catches a hole in the flexible door to open it as the cartridge is inserted into the drive. The door along the outside of the cartridge conserves space so that the recording medium can be large for a given form factor drive.

Abstract: Two discrete transmit/receive (T/R) channels are implemented in a single common T/R module package having the capability of providing combined functions, control and power conditioning while utilizing a single multi-cavity, multi-layer substrate comprised of high temperature cofired ceramic (HTCC) layers. The ceramic layers have outer surfaces including respective metallization patterns of ground planes and stripline conductors as well as feedthroughs or vertical vias formed therein for providing three dimensional routing of both shielded RF and DC power and logic control signals so as to configure, among other things, a pair of RF manifold signal couplers which are embedded in the substrate and which transition to a multi-pin blind mate press-on RF connector assembly at the front end of the package.

Abstract: A transmit/receive (T/R) module adapted for use in a radar system. The module has a unified structure including a layered substrate on and in which two T/R channel circuits are integrated. The channel circuits make use of power distribution, channel controller, and RF signal routing circuitry, partly on a channel shared basis. In the RF routing circuitry, respective coupler elements are employed to combine RF receive signals for output to an RF receive manifold and to split an RF transmit signal from a transmit manifold into separate RF transmit signals for input to the T/R channel circuits.

Abstract: Two discrete transmit/receive (T/R) channels are implemented in a single common T/R module package having the capability of providing combined functions, control and power conditioning while utilizing a single multi-cavity, multi-layer substrate comprised of high temperature cofired ceramic (HTCC) layers. The ceramic layers have outer surfaces including respective metallization patterns of ground planes and stripline conductors as well as feedthroughs or vertical vias formed therein for providing three dimensional routing of both shielded RF and DC power and logic control signals so as to configure, among other things, a pair of RF manifold signal couplers which are embedded in the substrate and which transition to a multi-pin blind mate press-on RF connector assembly at the front end of the package.

Abstract: A cartridge for a magnetic disk drive has a rigid shell and a flexible door which covers an opening through which read/write heads engage the recording medium. The flexible door is guided outside of the shell to an open position as the cartridge is inserted into the drive. A projection on a flexible arm in the drive catches a hole in the flexible door to open it as the cartridge is inserted into the drive. The door along the outside of the cartridge conserves space so that the recording medium can be large for a given form factor drive.

Abstract: A DC-DC voltage converter 40, which is adaptable to VHF operation, has a power oscillator 52 to which a filtered input DC voltage 50 is applied for conversion to an output DC voltage. The power oscillator includes a push-pull amplifier 58, 60 and an impedance transformation circuit 62 to which the amplifier is connected. The power oscillator also includes a rectifier circuit 64 which is connected to the impedance transformation circuit. A feedback circuit 68 controls the frequency of the oscillator to regulate the output DC voltage. The oscillator frequency depends on the impedance values of oscillator circuit components and the values of a plurality of oscillator component intrinsic parameters.

Abstract: A transmit/receive (T/R) module adapted for use in a radar system. The module has a unified structure including a layered substrate on and in which two T/R channel circuits are integrated. The channel circuits make use of power distribution, channel controller, and RF signal routing circuitry, partly on a channel shared basis. In the RF routing circuitry, respective coupler elements are employed to combine RF receive signals for output to an RF receive manifold and to split an RF transmit signal from a transmit manifold into separate RF transmit signals for input to the T/R channel circuits.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for an active electronically scanned array includes, among other things: an array of antenna elements; an RF signal feed and circulator assembly coupled to said antenna elements and forming thereby an array of radiating structures; a generally planar RF manifold assembly having regularly spaced openings therein located behind and normal to the radiating structures; an array of T/R modules connected to the array of radiating structures and having respective RF connector assemblies forming a portion of an RF interface at one end portion of each of the modules which project upwardly through said spaced openings in the RF manifold and wherein the respective connector assemblies thereof connect to at least one immediately adjacent circulator as well as to transmit and receive manifold portions of the RF manifold; each of the T/R modules further have a heat sink plate on the back side thereof which is positioned against one of a number of elongated liquid coolant circulating coldplates connected

Abstract: A cartridge for a magnetic disk drive has a clamping mechanism which is actuated as the door to the cartridge is closed when the cartridge is removed from the drive. The door covers the opening through which the cartridge is accessed by read/write heads. When the cartridge is removed from the drive, the mechanism of the present invention clamps the recording disk against the cartridge shell to prevent rattle, which might otherwise damage the recording disk.

Abstract: A crush resistant cartridge case comprises a case shell having left and right halves. Each halve of the case shell contains a rigid insert having a flat portion with a rib extending substantially around the perimeter of the flat portion. The rigid inserts in the left and right halves of the case shell come together when the case shell is closed and provide resistance against crushing.

Abstract: A process for assembling a storage device such as a disk drive storage device using a laser welding technique. A welding fixture holds a storage device component in a predefined three dimensional location with a small gap relative to a second component so that improved dimensional accuracy is achieved. This welding of components that do not touch allows for assembly tolerances that are independent of component tolerances. The welding fixture can use magnetic force.

Abstract: A power distribution system (12) is provided in radar apparatus to distribute power from a 270 VDC source (60) through an intermediate power converter (70) and very high frequency (VHF) regulator/modulator units (80). Bus conductors (71,74) interconnect the source, the intermediate power converter, and the VHF units. Capacitors (71, 76) are connected to the bus conductors on the input and output sides of the intermediate power converter. Each VHF unit supplies modulating pulses to RF amplifiers (82) of an AESA array of the radar apparatus.

Abstract: A seal is coupled to a movable member in a disk drive for sealing an opening in a chassis over which the movable member passes. The seal comprises a first layer of foam attached to the movable member, and a second layer of low-friction plastic attached to the layer of foam. The foam layer presses the plastic layer against the chassis to seal the opening as the plastic layer slides over a surface of the chassis.

Abstract: A cartridge for a magnetic disk drive has a clamping mechanism which is actuated as the door to the cartridge is closed when the cartridge is removed from the drive. The door covers the opening through which the cartridge is accessed by read/write heads. When the cartridge is removed from the drive, the mechanism of the present invention clamps the recording disk against the cartridge shell to prevent rattle, which might otherwise damage the recording disk.

Abstract: A cartridge for a magnetic disk drive has a rigid shell and a flexible door which covers an opening through which read/write heads engage the recording medium. The flexible door is guided outside of the shell to an open position as the cartridge is inserted into the drive. A projection on a flexible arm in the drive catches a hole in the flexible door to open it as the cartridge is inserted into the drive. The door which opens along the outside of the cartridge conserves space so that the recording medium can be large for a given form factor drive.

Abstract: A crush resistant cartridge case comprises a case shell having left and right halves. Each halve of the case shell contains a rigid insert having a flat portion with a rib extending substantially around the perimeter of the flat portion. The rigid inserts in the left and right halves of the case shell come together when the case shell is closed and provide resistance against crushing.

Abstract: A head loading mechanism for a removable cartridge disk drive comprises a support base fixedly mounted in the drive, and a moveable member movably attached to the support base via a pair of elongate flexures. The moveable member has a ramped surface adapted to engage a suspension arm at the distal end of an actuator. A read/write head is mounted on the suspension arm. The moveable member moves upon the flexures in tandem with the actuator as it moves toward and away from the edge of a disk inserted in the drive. The moveable member carries the suspension arm of the actuator to the edge of the disk, at which point the suspension arm can ride up and down the ramped surface of the moveable member in order to load the read/write head onto the surface of the disk and then subsequently to unload the read/write head from the disk.