Abstract: A system and method for cooling an environmental test chamber is described where a controller is in communication with an auxiliary cooling unit and the primary refrigeration unit. A first chamber temperature measurement associated with the environmental test chamber is received, and the heat load associated with a target temperature is determined. Based on the first chamber temperature measurement and the heat load, it is determined that the auxiliary cooling unit can sustain the target temperature. In response to the determination, the controller is used to transmit a signal to power on the auxiliary cooling unit and a signal to time out the primary refrigeration unit.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method for cooling includes providing a controller in communication with an auxiliary cooling unit and a primary refrigeration unit. A first chamber temperature measurement associated with an environmental test chamber is received, and the heat load associated with a target temperature is determined. Based on the first chamber temperature measurement and the heat load, it is determined that the auxiliary cooling unit can sustain the target temperature. In response to the determination, the controller is used to transmit a signal to power on the auxiliary cooling unit and a signal to time out the primary refrigeration unit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a testing apparatus for executing highly accelerated life testing on at least one test subject includes at least one structure operable to thermally stress the test subject via conduction and at least one pneumatic hammer operable to input imparting vibrations to the test subject. According to another embodiment of the invention, a method for executing highly accelerated life testing of at least one test subject includes applying a thermal stress to the test subject via conduction at a rate of change of at least 8° C. per minute and imparting vibrations to the test subject at a rate of at least 3 Gs rms.

Abstract: An automated data storage library employing a media accessor, an optical disk drive and a removable disk media. The media accessor includes a cartridge shell gripper. The optical disk drive includes a tape cartridge slot. The removable disk media includes a tape cartridge shell having a structural configuration operable to be physically engaged by the cartridge shell gripper and operable to be physically inserted into the tape cartridge slot by the cartridge shell gripper. The removable disk media further includes one or more optical disks disposed within the tape cartridge shell. A recording surface of each optical disk is extractable, partially or entirely, from the tape cartridge shell by the optical disk drive for writing data onto the optical disk and/or reading data from the optical disk.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a testing apparatus for executing highly accelerated life testing on at least one test subject includes at least one structure operable to thermally stress the test subject via conduction and at least one pneumatic hammer operable to input imparting vibrations to the test subject. According to another embodiment of the invention, a method for executing highly accelerated life testing of at least one test subject includes applying a thermal stress to the test subject via conduction at a rate of change of at least 8° C. per minute and imparting vibrations to the test subject at a rate of at least 3 Gs rms.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a testing apparatus for executing highly accelerated life testing on at least one test subject including at least one structure operable to thermally stress the test subject via conduction and at least one pneumatic hammer operable to input imparting vibrations to the test subject. According to another embodiment of the invention, a method for executing highly accelerated life testing of at least one test subject via conduction at a rate of change of at least 8 ° C. per minute and imparting vibrations to the test subject at a rate of at least 3Gs rms.

Abstract: Provided is a read channel, storage drive, and method to process signals read from a storage medium. At least one data channel including an interpolator and equalizer and a servo channel includes an interpolator. A timing recovery function processes a timing error from the interpolator in the servo channel to calculate interpolation timing information used by the interpolator to interpolate a servo channel signal. A path is coupled to the timing recovery function and the interpolator in the at least one data channel to communicate the interpolation timing information to the interpolator in the at least one data channel. The interpolator in the at least one data channel is configured to use the interpolation timing information to interpolate an asynchronous data channel signal.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling tape tension during operation of a tape drive by making use of pre-existing timing based servo patterns formatted on the media. Changes in servo pattern timing are read at regular intervals and used to calculate changes in tension, with the torque of the tape reel motors being adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to monitor the positioning of a tape leader pin in a tape threader block moveably disposed in a tape drive. The' apparatus includes a tape threader block assembly comprising a first circuit having a first coil, a second circuit having a second coil, where that second circuit has an impedance, where the first coil is disposed adjacent the second coil. The apparatus further includes a detection circuit which detects the impedance of the second circuit, where the second circuit has a first impedance when the first circuit is open, and where the second circuit has a second impedance when the second circuit is closed. In the event a tape leader pin is properly releaseably fixtured to Applicants' threader block, the first circuit is closed and the impedance of the second circuit changes. The detection circuit detects that impedance change and provides a signal to a controller indicating that the tape leader pin is properly seated in the threader block.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the flow-activated valve assembly is a fluid-driven tool for use in various down hole drilling and fishing operations, which is activated by the introduction of fluid into an enclosed assembly, whereby fluid forces a movable portion of such assembly to slide until it engages a stationary portion, where an impact is realized, and at which time the fluid is permitted to exhaust. Upon this impact, another valve is opened to permit fluid to flow in another channel, moving the assembly in the opposite direction until it reaches a second stationary portion, at which point another impact is realized in the opposite direction. This creates a bi-directional hammering effect for each cycle of the tool, which can be utilized in various applications, either for the jarring effect, the linear motion, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to monitor the positioning of a tape leader pin in a tape threader block moveably disposed in a tape drive. The' apparatus includes a tape threader block assembly comprising a first circuit having a first coil, a second circuit having a second coil, where that second circuit has an impedance, where the first coil is disposed adjacent the second coil. The apparatus further includes a detection circuit which detects the impedance of the second circuit, where the second circuit has a first impedance when the first circuit is open, and where the second circuit has a second impedance when the second circuit is closed. In the event a tape leader pin is properly releaseably fixtured to Applicants' threader block, the first circuit is closed and the impedance of the second circuit changes. The detection circuit detects that impedance change and provides a signal to a controller indicating that the tape leader pin is properly seated in the threader block.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling tape tension during operation of a tape drive by making use of pre-existing timing based servo patterns formatted on the media. Changes in servo pattern timing are read at regular intervals and used to calculate changes in tension, with the torque of the tape reel motors being adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: The down hole motor is a self-contained radial drive unit that is driven by a linear input, which can be supplied from various sources. As linear motion is applied to the input of the tool, drive pins on a drive shaft follow a helical path, converting the linear motion into radial motion at the attached mandrel end. This may then be utilized in various activities such as drilling, boring and obstruction removal. This tool may also be used in conjunction with jarring mechanisms in order to create an impact drilling device, or a percussion motor.

Abstract: The down hole jar tool is a tool used to apply jarring forces to objects that may be obstructing the path of a down hole, or above-ground operation that requires a repetitive jarring action to dislodge or remove such objects. The tool is used by providing a linear input to a mandrel portion that draws back against a compressible unit of predetermined resistance until a releasing means abruptly releases the mandrel portion. The mandrel portion then rapidly moves in the direction of the linear input until it encounters a stationary anvil, which produces the desired jarring action. This tool may also be combined with accelerators and/or valves, as well as other tools, to create a more substantial jarring impact.

Abstract: The down hole jar tool is a tool used to apply jarring forces to objects that may be obstructing the path of a down hole, or above-ground operation that requires a repetitive jarring action to dislodge or remove such objects. The tool is used by providing a linear input to a mandrel portion that draws back against a compressible unit of predetermined resistance until a releasing means abruptly releases the mandrel portion. The mandrel portion then rapidly moves in the direction of the linear input until it encounters a stationary anvil, which produces the desired jarring action. This tool may also be combined with accelerators and/or valves, as well as other tools, to create a more substantial jarring impact.

Abstract: The down hole motor is a self-contained radial drive unit that is driven by a linear input, which can be supplied from various sources. As linear motion is applied to the input of the tool, drive pins on a drive shaft follow a helical path, converting the linear motion into radial motion at the attached mandrel end. This may then be utilized in various activities such as drilling, boring and obstruction removal. This tool may also be used in conjunction with jarring mechanisms in order to create an impact drilling device, or a percussion motor.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the flow-activated valve assembly is a fluid-driven tool for use in various down hole drilling and fishing operations, which is activated by the introduction of fluid into an enclosed assembly, whereby fluid forces a movable portion of such assembly to slide until it engages a stationary portion, where an impact is realized, and at which time the fluid is permitted to exhaust. Upon this impact, another valve is opened to permit fluid to flow in another channel, moving the assembly in the opposite direction until it reaches a second stationary portion, at which point another impact is realized in the opposite direction. This creates a bi-directional hammering effect for each cycle of the tool, which can be utilized in various applications, either for the jarring effect, the linear motion, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A fuel-fired heating appliance, representatively a gas-fired water heater, has a combustion chamber with an outer wall portion defined by a perforated flame arrestor plate having specially configured louvered combustion air intake openings through which combustion air is flowed into the combustion chamber. The louvered openings function to cause the entering combustion air to undergo directional changes as it inwardly traverses the openings and impart turbulence to the air entering the combustion chamber in a manner substantially inhibiting foreign matter blockage of the plate openings, providing an even combustion air inflow across the perforated plate area, and providing the plate with improved operational temperature uniformity along its sides.