Abstract: A method of improving the accuracy of a variable orifice flow meter that includes characterizing the flow coefficient of the flow meter orifice for different orifice openings and for different differential pressures. The method may be particularly useful with a flow metering and controlling device that includes a fluid flow conduit having at least one planar inner wall and an element having a linear edge configured to mate with the at least one planar inner wall of the fluid flow conduit. The element is movable relative to the conduit to define a flow orifice and vary a cross-sectional area of the orifice. The device also includes a processor configured to calculate the fluid flow based on the cross-sectional area of the orifice, the differential pressure, and the flow coefficient.

Abstract: A method of improving the accuracy of a variable orifice flow meter that includes characterizing the discharge coefficient of the flow meter orifice for different orifice openings and for different differential pressures. The method may be particularly useful with a flow metering and controlling device that includes a fluid flow conduit having at least one planar inner wall and an element having a linear edge configured to mate with the at least one planar inner wall of the fluid flow conduit. The element is movable relative to the conduit to define a flow orifice and vary a cross-sectional area of the orifice. The device also includes a processor configured to calculate the fluid flow based on the cross-sectional area of the orifice, the differential pressure, and the discharge coefficient.

Abstract: In a disk drive enclosure system having carriers fitting into slots in the enclosure, each carrier has a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism has a part which rotates between locked and unlocked positions, and the part has a feature that blocks removal of the carrier when the part is in the locked position, while permitting removal of the carrier when the part is in the unlocked position. The part is plastic and is molded of a clear material serving as a light pipe. A light source is behind the part, so that the ability of light to pass through the part is affected by the locked/unlocked position of the part. The part has a shape feature that assists a user in distinguishing between locked and unlocked positions, and the light indicator further assists the user in this way. Valuable bezel space is saved, especially in comparison with some prior-art locking mechanisms.

Abstract: An enclosure is shaped with a plurality of opposed pairs of first and second guides, the first guides all substantially coplanar within a first plane, the second guides all substantially coplanar within a second plane. Each pair of guides defines a respective plane, the respective planes of the pairs of guides all parallel to each other, each pair of guides separated by a respective spacing, each pair of guides shaped to receive a respective planar carrier by insertion in a first direction along the pair of guides. The enclosure is shaped to receive a key plate parallel to the first plane and intersecting the first guides, said key plate having a plurality of feature areas, each feature area corresponding to a respective plane of one of the pairs of guides, each feature area presenting a predetermined pattern of barriers to movement in the first direction, the barriers disposed at at least two locations along the first direction.

Abstract: An enclosure for a data storage system comprises at least first and second cast magnesium parts joined by rivets, each of which is made of a suitable material that provides compressive strength superior to that of the cast magnesium. Each rivet is of a height or thickness equal to the sum of the thickness of the parts to be riveted. Each such rivet has flat end surfaces and its body is peripherally concave between its ends. The rivet is embedded in the two parts, and the parts flow radially against the concave body of the rivet. No drilling is required, and the parts are held in carefully defined position while being joined, so that the assembled enclosure satisfies strict dimensional tolerances.

Abstract: A shelf enclosure for a network data storage system employs drive carriers having wedge mechanical interfaces with respective features on the enclosure, locking into place at the top and bottom of the carriers.

Abstract: An enclosure for a data storage system comprises at least first and second cast magnesium parts joined by rivets, each of which is made of a suitable material that provides compressive strength superior to that of the cast magnesium. Each rivet is of a height or thickness equal to the sum of the thickness of the parts to be riveted. Each such rivet has flat end surfaces and its body is peripherally concave between its ends. The rivet is embedded in the two parts, and the parts flow radially against the concave body of the rivet. No drilling is required, and the parts are held in carefully defined position while being joined, so that the assembled enclosure satisfies strict dimensional tolerances.

Abstract: An EMI shielded enclosure has a plurality of electrically conductive walls. The conductive walls are electrically connected so electromagnetic radiation from within the enclosure cannot radiate through the walls. An EMI shield plate, that makes up at least one wall of the enclosure, is an electrically non-conductive, plastic wall with tunnel holes through the wall. The holes provide for air flow into and out of the enclosure. A conductive coating on the non conductive wall and the holes converts the non-conductive plastic wall into a conductive wall with waveguide attenuating. The waveguide attenuating holes, when so coated with the conductive layer, attenuate electromagnetic radiation passing from inside the enclosure through said holes to outside the enclosure. The waveguide attenuating holes effectively attenuate electromagnetic radiation at frequencies up to 5 gigahertz.

Abstract: A connection structure between a disk drive housing and a rack to eliminate a source of vibration, and hence improve the performance of the disk drive. An interference-fit tab and slot vibration reduction structure is described, where the tab is formed on the housing and the slot is formed on the shelf. The tab and slot vibration reduction structure includes a disk drive having an outer housing, the housing having a bottom surface. A tab extends from the bottom of the housing. A shelf is provided on the rack system for receiving one or a plurality of disk drive housings, and one slot is formed in a front edge of the shelf for each drive housing. When the disk drive housing is positioned on the shelf with the tab positioned in the slot to create an interference fit, the housing is rigidly attached to the shelf.

Abstract: A tunable laser trace gas analyzer determines the concentration of a target gas in a sample by comparison to a reference gas having a known concentration of the target gas. The trace gas analyzer includes a wavenumber-tunable laser and a gas receiving assembly through which the laser beam is transmitted. The gas receiving assembly comprises a sample gas chamber and a reference gas chamber. Radiation intensity sensors are positioned at remote ends of the sample gas chamber and the reference gas chamber to detect the intensity of the laser transmissions through the sample and reference gases. A beam splitter is positioned within the gas receiving assembly to direct one laser beam portion to one of the radiation intensity sensors and another laser beam portion to the other radiation intensity sensor. The concentration of the target gas in the sample is determined by repetitively modulating the laser drive current to cyclicly vary the laser emission wavenumber about an absorption line of the target gas.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of pressing, draining and preparing cheese curd for curing. The apparatus and method are particularly adapted for forming large sized blocks of cheese. Cheese curd is placed in a form for pressing and draining. Blades, in the form of elongated wedges and having slots in their faces are disposed in the curd to uniformly drain the curd while it is being pressed. The blades are removed and the curd is subjected to further conditioning and packaged for curing in containers.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of pressing, draining and preparing cheese curd for curing. The apparatus and method are particularly adapted for forming large sized blocks of cheese. Cheese curd is placed in a form for pressing and draining. Blades, in the form of elongated wedges and having slots in their faces are disposed in the curd to uniformly drain the curd while it is being pressed. The blades are removed and the curd is subjected to further conditioning and packaged for curing in containers.