Abstract: An optical device for sensing a presence of an analyte in a person is provided. The optical device includes a light source, an optical stack, and a reader. The light source emits a first light having a first wavelength. The optical stack is placed on a skin of the person. The optical stack includes a sensor material and an optical filter. The sensor material emits a second light having a second wavelength when irradiated with the first light. An optical property of the second light is sensitive to the presence of the analyte. The optical filter is disposed on the sensor material and includes a plurality of microlayers numbering at least 10 in total. The optical filter has different first and second transmittances at the respective first and second wavelengths.

Abstract: A mechanism provides compliance between a tool and a robotic arm and includes a base with a first face. The mechanism includes a post assembly with a thrust washer and a mounting post attached to the thrust washer. The thrust washer engages the first face to form a compliance joint that permits a compliance range of sliding translational motion along the first face. The mechanism comprises springs that slideably engage an outer rim surface of the post assembly and providing a compliance force resisting the sliding translational motion. A retainer is mounted to the base and compresses the thrust washer against the first face and limits rotational motion of the assembly out of a plane of the first face.

Abstract: A washing machine including a tub, a basket rotatably mounted within the tub, and a spraying ring disposed at a top portion of the tub, and including a plurality of nozzles arranged in groups, the nozzles separated by a first distance, the groups separated by a second distance different than the first distance; wherein each of the plurality of nozzles has an opening therein, the openings of the plurality of nozzles of the same group are parallel to each other, and the spray ring is configured to direct water into the tub through the openings.

Abstract: A vertically-oriented servo track writer assembly and method for recording servo pattern on a disc surface includes a spindle hub assembly that rotates one or more discs in a substantially vertical plane and an actuator assembly that pivots an E-block about a substantially horizontal axis. The E-block includes one or more actuator arms and associated flexures, with each flexure including a servo recording head. Pivoting motion of the E-block moves each servo recording head in a substantially vertical plane adjacent a surface of an associated disc to record servo pattern information on the disc surface. The method further includes laterally moving the actuator assembly into and out of engagement with the spindle hub assembly to simplify loading and unloading discs from the spindle hub assembly.

Abstract: An actuator assembly and method for orienting a head over a disc within a multi-disc servo-track writer incorporates an actuator block, rotational air bearing, translational air bearing, adaptor plate, E-block and actuator arm/head assembly. Rotation of the E-block, and hence actuator arm/head assembly, is directly controlled by the movement of the rotational air bearing, which is rotated by a motor. The air bearing provides for reduced friction and, as a result, decreased eccentricity of the head as compared to related art configurations. A translational air bearing laterally positions the actuator assembly within the multi-disc servo-track writer for servo-track recording.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transducer position detection uses inert contact surfaces to engage an actuator temporarily. The inert contact surfaces are part of an apparatus that also includes an optical sensor such as a retroreflector or diffraction grating. The assembly is thus configured to permit multiple uses while exerting a near-zero net torque about the length of the arm that supports the transducer. This is useful where there is a temporary need for especially precise position control, such as when servowriting a data storage media surface.

Abstract: An ex-situ Servo Track Writer (STW) uses a support element that can extend between discs in a stack, and can also retract, permitting a high level of variation in the stack's positioning. The support element preferably has an engagement surface that is wide enough to permit the element to support the actuator throughout the element's range of (rotary) motion. Because the support structure is retractable, it can use low angles of approach like those of hyperbolic-shaped cams, without losing access to the outermost portions of the discs. The support structure may therefore be moved out of the servowriter actuator's path while position data is written to the outermost portions of the data surface.

Abstract: An air flow control device for reducing turbulence on a rotating multi-disc stack. Air flow control device includes a first air dam having cavities formed by a series of alternating plate sections forming gaps therebetween adjacent plates. Gaps define cavities capable of receiving discs when disc stack is rotating. A method for writing data onto an annular writeable surface of a plurality of discs including the steps of mounting the plurality of discs into a coaxial stack, extending one or more dam plates each between a consecutive pair of the plurality of discs and adjacent at least a selected one of the writeable surfaces; and writing data onto the selected surface while a first one of the dam plates overlaps enough of the selected surface so that the first dam plate limits a windage-induced error in the written data.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for orienting a head over a disc within a multi-disc servo-track writer preferably uses two gas bearings, an adaptor plate, and an actuator assembly including an E-block and arm/head assembly. Rotation of the E-block, and hence actuator arm/head assembly, can be controlled by the movement of a rotational gas bearing, which is rotated by a motor. The gas bearing provides for reduced friction and, as a result, decreased eccentricity of the head as compared to related art configurations. A translational gas bearing can be used for laterally positioning the actuator assembly for servo track recording.

Abstract: A disc positioning system for releasably securing a disc stack array on a spindle hub in a multi-disc writer system. The system includes a disc clamp with an axial catch and a retaining arrangement for engaging the catch. The retaining arrangement includes at least one radially movable member that engages and secures the axial catch in an engagement position and disengages the axial catch in a disengagement position.

Abstract: A vertically-oriented servo track writer assembly and method for recording servo pattern on a disc surface includes a spindle hub assembly that rotates one or more discs in a substantially vertical plane and an actuator assembly that pivots an E-block about a substantially horizontal axis. The E-block includes one or more actuator arms and associated flexures, with each flexure including a servo recording head. Pivoting motion of the E-block moves each servo recording head in a substantially vertical plane adjacent a surface of an associated disc to record servo pattern information on the disc surface. The method further includes laterally moving the actuator assembly into and out of engagement with the spindle hub assembly to simplify loading and unloading discs from the spindle hub assembly.

Abstract: An actuator assembly and method for orienting a head over a disc within a multi-disc servo-track writer incorporates an actuator block, rotational air bearing, translational air bearing, adaptor plate, E-block and actuator arm/head assembly. Rotation of the E-block, and hence actuator arm/head assembly, is directly controlled by the movement of the rotational air bearing, which is rotated by a motor. The air bearing provides for reduced friction and, as a result, decreased eccentricity of the head as compared to related art configurations. A translational air bearing laterally positions the actuator assembly within the multi-disc servo-track writer for servo-track recording.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transducer position detection uses inert contact surfaces to engage an actuator temporarily. The inert contact surfaces are part of an apparatus that also includes an optical sensor such as a retroreflector or diffraction grating. The assembly is thus configured to permit multiple uses while exerting a near-zero net torque about the length of the arm that supports the transducer. This is useful where there is a temporary need for especially precise position control, such as when servowriting a data storage media surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for orienting a head over a disc within a multi-disc servo-track writer preferably uses two gas bearings, an adaptor plate, and an actuator assembly including an E-block and arm/head assembly. Rotation of the E-block, and hence actuator arm/head assembly, can be controlled by the movement of a rotational gas bearing, which is rotated by a motor. The gas bearing provides for reduced friction and, as a result, decreased eccentricity of the head as compared to related art configurations. A translational gas bearing can be used for laterally positioning the actuator assembly for servo track recording.

Abstract: An ex-situ Servo Track Writer (STW) uses a support element that can extend between discs in a stack, and can also retract, permitting a high level of variation in the stack's positioning. The support element preferably has an engagement surface that is wide enough to permit the element to support the actuator throughout the element's range of (rotary) motion. Because the support structure is retractable, it can use low angles of approach like those of hyperbolic-shaped cams, without losing access to the outermost portions of the discs. The support structure may therefore be moved out of the servowriter actuator's path while position data is written to the outermost portions of the data surface.

Abstract: A vertically-oriented servo track writer assembly and method for recording servo pattern on a disc surface includes a spindle hub assembly that rotates one or more discs in a substantially vertical plane and an actuator assembly that pivots an E-block about a substantially horizontal axis. The E-block includes one or more actuator arms and associated flexures, with each flexure including a servo recording head. Pivoting motion of the E-block moves each servo recording head in a substantially vertical plane adjacent a surface of an associated disc to record servo pattern information on the disc surface. The method further includes laterally moving the actuator assembly into and out of engagement with the spindle hub assembly to simplify loading and unloading discs from the spindle hub assembly.

Abstract: A disc positioning system for releasably securing a disc stack array on a spindle hub in a multi-disc writer system. The system includes a disc clamp with an axial catch and a retaining arrangement for engaging the catch. The retaining arrangement includes at least one radially movable member that engages and secure the axial catch in an engagement position and disengages the axial catch in a disengagement position.

Abstract: An air flow control device for reducing turbulence on a rotating multi-disc stack. Air flow control device includes a first air dam having cavities formed by a series of alternating plate sections forming gaps therebetween adjacent plates. Gaps define cavities capable of receiving discs when disc stack is rotating. A method for writing data onto an annular writeable surface of a plurality of discs including the steps of mounting the plurality of discs into a coaxial stack, extending one or more dam plates each between a consecutive pair of the plurality of discs and adjacent at least a selected one of the writeable surfaces; and writing data onto the selected surface while a first one of the dam plates overlaps enough of the selected surface so that the first dam plate limits a windage-induced error in the written data.

Abstract: A single-use camera includes an external housing (290, 292), within the housing a camera frame (100) having an exposure opening (102), a first chamber (104) on one side of the exposure opening for receiving a light-tight film cartridge (18) enclosing a filmstrip (36); and a second chamber (108) on an opposite side of the exposure opening for receiving a scroll (268) formed from a filmstrip, and a separate retainer cap (80; 210-216; 220-234) located in the second chamber for engaging an end of the scroll to prevent clock-springing of the scroll.

Abstract: A heatsink for dissipating heat from electronic components, such as integrated circuits, on a circuit board. The heatsink is formed from metal foil and comprises a series of coplanar base portions interposed with transverse fins. The heatsink can be constructed from a length of metal foil which is folded to form the base portions and transverse fins. A base layer comprising, for example, an additional strip of sheet metal material, has adhesive on both sides and is affixed to the base portions of the folded foil on one side and the surface of the electronic component using the adhesive on the other side. The foil or sheet material forming the base portions, fins and base layer of the heatsink are relatively thin and flexible such that lengths of the heatsink can be manufactured and coiled into rolls for transportation and storage. A portion of the heatsink can then be cut to length from the roll thereof and applied to a row of a plurality of components.