Abstract: A solar panel system and method wherein unframed solar panels are positioned on support beams above a support structure in a configuration that leaves two of the edges of the solar panels unframed. This avoids trapping of water and dirt and the like, which occurs with prior art, framed panels. A liner comprised of a compliant material may be interposed between the support beams and the two panel edges so as to protect those two edges, while leaving the remaining two edges in their original, unframed condition.

Abstract: A solar panel array that comprises at least two vertical supports, a horizontal support, and at least one solar panel positioned thereon. The vertical supports are provided with a gradual twist, preferably following an extrusion process, so as to permit the supports to rotate as they are pounded into the ground.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition method includes a step of maintaining a hydrogen plasma at low pressure in a processing chamber. The processing chamber has a long, wide, thin geometry to favor deposition of thin-film silicon on sheet substrates over the chamber walls. The sheet substrates are moved through between ends. A pair of opposing radio frequency electrodes above and below the workpieces are electrically driven hard to generate a flat, pancaked plasma cloud in the middle spaces of the processing chamber. A collinear series of gas injector jets pointed slightly up on a silane-jet manifold introduce 100% silane gas at high velocity from the side in order to roll the plasma cloud in a coaxial vortex. A second such silane-jet manifold is placed on the opposite side and pointed slightly down to further help roll the plasma and maintain a narrow band of silane concentration.

Abstract: An optical disk and compatible optical disk drive enabling erasable (rewritable) optical disks to have the same format and capacity as read-only or (recordable) write-once optical disks. A reference clock track and optional additional prerecorded phase synchronization patters are provided to enable writing of any random sector with frequency and phase matching of a random sector to the preceding and following sectors. The reference clock track and other phase synchronization patterns eliminate the need for preambles and extra space for speed variation. In a first embodiment, a disk has multiple layers, with at least one rewritable data layer and at least one reference layer. A spiral track on a surface of the reference layer has prerecorded patterns to be used for clocking. In a variation of first embodiment, the reference layer is also used for radial tracking control, eliminated the need for predefined tracks in the rewritable data layers.

Abstract: The invention provides a chassis member, which may be made of a cast material such as magnesium, aluminum, or plastic, for mechanically supporting a heat producing electronic device in which the chassis member has a base and a cavity integral to the chassis member. In a preferred embodiment, the cavity is in the form of a channel that is created by boring. The channel may be evacuated and has an evaporator section, a condenser section, and a working fluid confined therein by a seal. The channel receives heat from an electronic device in an evaporator section of the channel and dissipates heat from the condenser section of the channel. Different types of wicks may be employed. In one embodiment, a completely fabricated heat pipe is inserted into the integrated channel. In other embodiments, a cavity in the form of a heat dissipating channel matrix, serpentine shape, flat shape, or in other forms or shapes are provided.

Abstract: An optical disk and compatible optical disk drive enabling erasable (rewritable) optical disks to have the same format and capacity as read-only or (recordable) write-once optical disks. A reference clock track and optional additional prerecorded phase synchronization patters are provided to enable writing of any random sector with frequency and phase matching of a random sector to the preceding and following sectors. The reference clock track and other phase synchronization patterns eliminate the need for preambles and extra space for speed variation. In a first embodiment, a disk has multiple layers, with at least one rewritable data layer and at least one reference layer. A spiral track on a surface of the reference layer has prerecorded patterns to be used for clocking. In a variation of first embodiment, the reference layer is also used for radial tracking control, eliminated the need for predefined tracks in the rewritable data layers.

Abstract: An optical disk and compatible optical disk drive enabling erasable (rewritable) optical disks to have the same format and capacity as read-only or (recordable) write-once optical disks. A reference clock track and optional additional prerecorded phase synchronization patters are provided to enable writing of any random sector with frequency and phase matching of a random sector to the preceding and following sectors. The reference clock track and other phase synchronization patterns eliminate the need for preambles and extra space for speed variation. In a first embodiment, a disk has multiple layers, with at least one rewritable data layer and at least one reference layer. A spiral track on a surface of the reference layer has prerecorded patterns to be used for clocking. In a variation of first embodiment, the reference layer is also used for radial tracking control, eliminated the need for predefined tracks in the rewritable data layers.

Abstract: An optical disk and compatible optical disk drive enabling erasable (rewritable) optical disks to have the same format and capacity as read-only or (recordable) write-once optical disks. A reference clock track and optional additional prerecorded phase synchronization patterns are provided to enable writing of any random sector with frequency and phase matching of a random sector to the preceding and following sectors. The reference clock track and other phase synchronization patterns eliminate the need for preambles and extra space for speed variation. In a first embodiment, a disk has multiple layers, with at least one rewritable data layer and at least one reference layer. A spiral track on a surface of the reference layer has prerecorded patterns to be used for clocking. In a variation of first embodiment, the reference layer is also used for radial tracking control, eliminating the need for predefined tracks in the rewritable data layers.

Abstract: A storage device including many field emitters in close proximity to a storage medium, and a micromover, all in a partial vacuum. Each field emitter can generate an electron beam current. The storage medium has many storage areas on it, with each field emitter responsible for a number of storage areas. Also, each storage area can be in a number of different states to represent the information stored in that area. In storing information to the storage device, the power density of an electron beam current is increased to change the state of the storage area bombarded by the electron beam current. In reading information from the device, the power density of the electron beam current is reduced to generate a signal current from the storage area bombarded by the electron beam current. During reading, the power density is selected to be low enough so that no writing occurs. The magnitude of the signal current depends on the states of the storage area.

Abstract: A self-testing and self-repairing memory system is presented as well as a method for using it and a method for making it. This memory system is constructed from memory chips that have passed an abbreviated wafer probe test. After the memory system is assembled, it tests itself to locate defective memory cells. The memory system may decide to correct these defective memory cells or it may decide to correct them using an error correction code engine. This memory system tests itself during field use to locate defective memory cells. Once these defective memory cells are located, the memory system uses the error correction code engine to correct these defective memory cells. When the error correction code engine becomes overburdened with defective memory cells, then the memory system replaces these defective memory cells.

Abstract: The invention is a method of packaging whole or large silicon wafers that provides support for the wafer, eliminates thermally or package-induced wafer strain, and allows selection of a mounting substrate material that provides optimal heat conduction.