Abstract: A gold pan and method of panning. A concave pan with lip and an array of curved ribs with linear central regions coupled to and extending above and forward from lip, each rib including a cavity oriented to be orthogonal to the concavity of the pan to trap material flowing thereover. The lip has a front region with a greater radius of curvature than a radius of curvature of a back region. There are a plurality of finishing fins extending into an interior of the concave pan from a back wall or side wall thereof. Panning is performed by disposing particulate material within a provided pan; flowing material over the ribs; flowing material over a plurality of finishing fins; collecting particulate material in a corner of a flat bottom; tipping the pan; and tapping a side thereof to separate heavies.

Abstract: A gold pan and method of panning. A concave pan with lip and an array of curved ribs with linear central regions coupled to and extending above and forward from lip, each rib including a cavity oriented to be orthogonal to the concavity of the pan to trap material flowing thereover. The lip has a front region with a greater radius of curvature than a radius of curvature of a back region. There are a plurality of finishing fins extending into an interior of the concave pan from a back wall or side wall thereof. Panning is performed by disposing particulate material within a provided pan; flowing material over the ribs; flowing material over a plurality of finishing fins; collecting particulate material in a corner of a flat bottom; tipping the pan; and tapping a side thereof to separate heavies.

Abstract: A gold pan and method of panning A concave pan with lip and an array of curved ribs with linear central regions coupled to and extending above and forward from lip, each rib including a cavity oriented to be orthogonal to the concavity of the pan to trap material flowing thereover. The lip has a front region with a greater radius of curvature than a radius of curvature of a back region. There are a plurality of finishing fins extending into an interior of the concave pan from a back wall or side wall thereof Panning is performed by disposing particulate material within a provided pan; flowing material over the ribs; flowing material over a plurality of finishing fins; collecting particulate material in a corner of a flat bottom; tipping the pan; and tapping a side thereof to separate heavies.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for separating materials of different specific gravities including a material flow-path surface having a trap structure with an oscillator coupled thereto to cause oscillation thereof while the surface is immersed in a standing fluid.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for separating materials of different specific gravities including a material flow-path surface having a trap structure with an oscillator coupled thereto to cause oscillation thereof while the surface is immersed in a standing fluid.

Abstract: An improved actuation system for a data storage device. In one exemplary embodiment, a head retraction mechanism is movable in a head retraction direction between a head recording position and a head parked position, and an actuator remains engaged with the mechanism for movement during this movement to lessen the risk of damage. A torsional biasing member provides a biasing force on the head retraction arm. A displaceable transmission mechanism is driven by the actuator and moved in a slot in a base from a first position in which the head retraction mechanism is contacted and a second position in which an ejection mechanism is contacted. A load member is integral with the base contacts a friction member on the displaceable transmission mechanism to provide friction for this displaceable movement. The actuator is mounted between a stop member and a biasing member on the base.

Abstract: An improved actuation system for a data storage device. In one exemplary embodiment, a head retraction mechanism is movable in a head retraction direction between a head recording position and a head parked position, and an actuator remains engaged with the mechanism for movement during this movement to lessen the risk of damage. A torsional biasing member provides a biasing force on the head retraction arm. A displaceable transmission mechanism is driven by the actuator and moved in a slot in a base from a first position in which the head retraction mechanism is contacted and a second position in which an ejection mechanism is contacted. A load member is integral with the base contacts a friction member on the displaceable transmission mechanism to provide friction for this displaceable movement. The actuator is mounted between a stop member and a biasing member on the base.

Abstract: An improved disk drive includes an improved operating system, an improved eject system, an improved head retract system and an improved motor loading system. In a preferred embodiment of the operating system it includes a motor, an eject crank, a head crank and an actuator. The output of the motor can be selectively controlled by the actuator to power either the eject crank or the head crank. Powering the head crank, causes the disk drive heads to move, and powering the eject crank causes a disk cartridge to be ejected from the disk drive. The motor loading system may have a disk drive motor having a threaded exterior and a member extending from the exterior to interface with the eject system. Additionally, this motor loading system may include an aperture in the chassis of the disk drive that has a threaded ring running around the circumference of the aperture and a spring extending from the threaded ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting defects on a surface of a recording medium in a magnetic disk apparatus. An idling state of the magnetic disk apparatus is detected and a determination is made of the duration that the recording medium has been in use. The presence/absence of defects on the surface of the recording medium is then sequentially detected, responsive to the duration and the idling state, beginning at a start location of the recording medium. Data located at a detected defect is reallocated to a predetermined storage area, and the detected defect is mapped in a defect location map.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a latent illuminance marker. A reflective surface on the cartridge increases the intensity of the irradiance on the marker and illuminance from the marker. A light source illuminates the marker and the marker emits phosphorescence. A photosensor detects the emitted illuminance, and the decay time is determined. The decay time is checked to provide identification of different types or generations of data storage cartridges or provides a secure keying mechanism for authorized access to proprietary software.

Abstract: A method of this invention includes engaging a disk drive spindle motor with a disk cartridge. This method may include inserting a disk cartridge into a disk drive. After the disk cartridge has been inserted, the method may include rotating the spindle motor at a speed that is less than a critical speed and engaging the spindle motor with the disk cartridge at a speed that is less than the critical speed. After the spindle motor is engaged with the disk cartridge, the method of this invention may further include rotating the disk drive motor and thereby rotating the storage medium disposed within the disk drive at its operational speed. In order to accomplish this method, the system of this invention may include a microprocessor coupled to the disk drive spindle motor and a computer readable storage device.

Abstract: An improved disk drive includes an improved operating system, an improved eject system, an improved head retract system and an improved motor loading system. In a preferred embodiment of the operating system it includes a motor, an eject crank, a head crank and an actuator. The output of the motor can be selectively controlled by the actuator to power either the eject crank or the head crank. Powering the head crank, causes the disk drive heads to move, and powering the eject crank causes a disk cartridge to be ejected from the disk drive. The motor loading system may have a disk drive motor having a threaded exterior and a member extending from the exterior to interface with the eject system. Additionally, this motor loading system may include an aperture in the chassis of the disk drive that has a threaded ring running around the circumference of the aperture and a spring extending from the threaded ring.